A TREE branch smashed through the cab window of a moving train in Hampshire, bringing the service to a halt temporarily.

During a routine rail service between Brockenhurst and Lymington this morning at around 6.30am, the branch of a tree close to the tracks impaled the driver's cab window.

While no one was injured during the incident, there was a four hour delay to services while Network Rail teams removed the branches from the track and the train, before services resumed at around 10.12am.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "This morning there were delays to South Western trains between Brockenhurst and Lymington in Hampshire.

"A branch smashed through the driver's cab window at around 6.30am and fortunately no one was hurt. This is why it is important to remove or trim branches that are near the railway.

"There were delays to services while Network Rail teams removed the branches from the track and services resumed at 10:12am."