Eurostar has warned passengers to expect disruption throughout the day on the line to Paris after a section of the French rail network was temporarily closed.

SNCF, the French high-speed train operator, urged travellers to postpone their journeys if possible.

“Passengers can exchange their tickets free of charge or request a full refund,” a Eurostar spokesman said, adding that the London-Amsterdam, London-Brussels and Brussels-Amsterdam routes were unaffected by the disruption.

SNCF said the disruption was caused by a power outage near Moussy, around 30 miles north of Paris, at around 8.30am and was expected to last until late evening as “major repairs” were required.