The opening of the new train station in Mitcham has been put back until June.

A Network Rail spokesman confirmed today that the new Eastfields station, in Eastfields Road, will not be ready to open before June 1, with services starting the following day.

The announcement came despite a statement made just a couple of weeks ago, which said the station - now called Mitcham Eastfields - would be running on May 19.

The long-awaited station, which has been called for since the 1930s, will provide a direct service to London Bridge, Victoria and Sutton in 20 minutes and will be closer to Mitcham town centre than the existing Mitcham Junction station and Mitcham tram stop.

It is the first new suburban station in south London since the Second World War and is in zone three of the capital's transport system.