Fuming commuters expressed their outrage at missing the first train of the day after being locked out of Southend Central train station.

Rail users arrived as normal on Wednesday morning to find the station doors were still locked at the station.

James Waldron, 53 said: “There were a dozen or so of people waiting for the 4.11am train, and usually you have a few people going home from the clubs as well.

“They were banging on the station doors and windows but nobody could get in.

“The police drove around but they didn’t pay any notice really.”

After banging on the doors for around 30 minutes angry commuters were finally allowed into the station in time for the 4.21am train without an explanation as to what had happened.

Mr Waldron added: “It made no difference to me because I always get the 4.24 anyway I just like to get there early to get a paper. The company that C2C hire, I don’t know who they are but it’s the same guys that provide the security for the barriers. They usually open up but they were nowhere to be seen.

“When they finally came out to open the doors they said they had only just got there but we had been stood at the entrance the whole time.

The eagle-eyed commuters were sure the foyer had been set up ready for the day.

Mr Waldron said: “The newspaper delivery man usually gets there between 3.30am and 4am and he had already set everything up for the day.

“How did he get in? It’s not the first time it’s happened.

“Loads of people were complaining, a lot of them said they were going to get in touch with the Echo”

A spokesman for C2C said: “We are sorry if any customers were unable to enter Southend Central station first thing on Wednesday morning. This was due to a staffing issue. Anyone who wasn’t able to travel on Wednesday can contact us for a refund.”