SOUTH Western Railway has issued a "do not travel" warning after a major signalling problem at London Waterloo.

Fourteen of the 24 platforms are reported to be closed and the rail operator says disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.

Commuters who were planning to travel to London Waterloo from Southampton are among those affected.

One train is due to depart from Southampton Central station at 8.30am but the 9.30am service has been cancelled.

Peter Williams, customer and commercial director, said: "We are very sorry for the disruption this morning.

"Due to a major signalling problem, which is still under investigation, we are advising customers not to attempt to travel to or from London Waterloo this morning.

"While the problem is in the Waterloo area we do expect the wider network to be affected as trains and their crews will be displaced".

According to SWR there is only one service an hour between Portsmouth and Southampton, one service an hour between Salisbury and Romsey via Southampton Central, and two services an hour between Brockenhurst and Lymington Pier.

London Waterloo is Britain's busiest railway station, with 41.4 million passengers using it every year.