RAIL companies are advising passengers not to travel as Storm Ali brings the railway between York and Scotland to a standstill.

All trains heading north out of York Railway Station have been cancelled, apart one train currently running more than 60 minutes late. It is not expected to reach York until shortly before 9pm.

A later northbound train still just north of Kings Cross has no estimated time of arrival in York and is described as "delayed by damage to overhead lines" on the national rail website.

Railway companies are running what they describe as "a limited bus service between York and Edinburgh and between Durham and Darlington and Newcastle"

Both London North Eastern Railway and Transpennine Express are urging their passengers to postpone their travel until tomorrow.