Train service between Norwich and Diss has been restored after structural problems with a bridge saw trains halted for more than two hours.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the damaged bridge at Long John Hill, Norwich was reported to them at 5.30pm today and an engineering team was sent to inspect it.

A full inspection was carried out but damage was found to be superficial only and the line reopened without restriction at 8.24pm, the spokesman added.

A Tweet from the @NorfolkPolice account, posted at 6.20pm, reads '#Norwich - Long John Hill closed due to structural problem with a bridge. Police in attendance #NorfolkRoads'

An officer in the police control room said British Transport Police (BTP) had notified them about problems with the bridge that the railway line goes over, and engineers were on scene by 7pm to inspect it.

Police had been tasked with closing the road, and said there had been 'some movement' in the bridge.

The officer said BTP had not notified them of any collision with the bridge which had resulted in the structural problems.

Network Rail said safety checks were being made of the line, meaning trains could not run between Diss and Norwich.

A spokeswoman for Greater Anglia said a replacement bus service was being organised between Diss and Norwich.

She said she had no indication of how long services would be affected for.