The South Tyneside Metro services from St James which have been cancelled due to lack of drivers

The operator has Tweeted that a train has been withdrawn from service at Pelaw due to a fault.

The situation has caused a gap in the service of up to 15 minutes to trains running between Pelaw and South Shields, and back to Pelaw.

Metro Tweeted: “Please leave extra time for your journey if you're travelling in the area.”

The operator has also announced that it has withdrawn a number of services to and from South Shields this afternoon and evening, Sunday, December 18.

They are:

*4.15pm St James-South Shields

*5.41pm South Shields-St James

*7.15pm St James-South Shields

*8.41pm South Shields-St James

*10.15pm St James-South Shields

*11.41pm South Shields-Benton.

The services are operated by one of three trains hit by a shortage of drivers today, with Sunderland and Newcastle also affected.