South West Trains criticised for running trains during Portsmouth's Armistice Day service

Services from South West Trains were heard travelling to and from Portsmouth & Southsea station, close to where people were paying their respects to those lost at war at the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Visitors took to social media to complain about the disruption to the service, for which proceedings lasted about half an hour.

Tony Hines commented on Facebook: ‘What a shame the ceremony was spoiled by trains! Could they not have been held outside the station for 5 minutes? Where’s the respect?’

Ray Sheppard posted: ‘Stop the trains, you’re normally late anyway. Have some respect.’

And Antony Bendon said: ‘South west trains have some respect!’

A South West Trains spokesman said: ‘We are pleased to have supported both Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday across the South West Trains network. ‘This has included dedicating all stations to the Royal British Legion for over a fortnight, providing free travel for Poppy Day collectors and asking passengers and staff to join us in observing a two minute silence.

‘The railway in this region is used by a number of different operators and part of one of the busiest networks in the country.

‘As is also the case with other transport operators, it is not possible to stop running services.’