ALTON residents fear they may suffer Christmas chaos this year after South West Trains’ announcement that it plans to conduct festive engineering works.

On Sunday, December 18, the last weekend before Santa comes hurtling down the chimney, there will be no trains between Alton and Woking.

Travel to London will be severely affected, which could mean a pre-Christmas nightmare for those looking to embark on some last-minute shopping in the capital.

There will be a bus replacement service in place throughout the day for those who refuse to be deterred.