They have been plugging away for two years, but volunteers visiting isolated people with reduced mobility for a cup of tea and a chat have finally been given funding.

The Alfriston Day Centre team now hope to expand their outreach service across Kingston to combat loneliness among the borough’s older population. The issue has prompted ministers to intervene and one charity to declare a state of emergency.

A special needs teacher described as “a friend to everyone” has retired after 37 years of loyal service to her school.

Trains from London toward Woking are not running beyond Surbiton due to a lightning strike in the town. South West Trains also said earlier signalling problems at Waterloo have been resolved, but delays of up to 60 minutes will continue until further notice.

The full list of disruptions is as follows: