RAIL firms are running extra services to get mourners from south Essex to London so they can pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen – with some trains running overnight.

As Her Majesty’s coffin lays-in-state at the Palace of Westminster, rails firms have geared up for unprecedented levels of travel to and from the capital.

Greater Anglia, which runs trains from Southend to London, is running extra services, including early morning journeys starting from 2am, just two hours after the last train of the day before.

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Trenitalia-owned rail firm c2c has also put on extra services into London, although the firm’s earliest journeys are from 4am.

A Greater Anglia spokesman said: “The rail industry is doing all it can to ensure people can travel to pay their respects during the period of mourning.

“Where possible, we will be running some extra services and customers should check journey planners for the most up to date information.”

Basildon councillor Kerry Smith says the move is “wonderful news”.

“There are so many here who want to pay their respects to the Queen as she was so dearly loved her in Essex and now they can," he said.

A c2c spokesman said: “c2c, other train operators, Network Rail and Transport for London are working together to provide as many services as we can to enable people to pay their respects.

“We will be running additional services wherever possible over the coming days and on the day of the funeral to allow people to pay their respects.

“Due to her historic reign, we are expecting unprecedented travel demand in the capital as people visit London to pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen.”

Andy Byford, London’s transport commissioner, said: “At such an important and difficult time for the country, we are doing everything we can to ensure Londoners and visitors can pay their respects to Her Majesty the Queen and welcome His Majesty the King.

“We are working with our partners to keep London moving smoothly and to ensure that everyone who needs to get around or is planning to attend the memorial events can do so safely.”