Eurostar has cancelled four trains from Paris to London St Pancras on Sunday, and delayed or diverted others, due to the deactivation of a Second World War bomb disposal to the north of the French terminus at Gare du Nord.

The bomb was found earlier this month by workers on a building site near Porte de la Chapelle, north of Gare du Nord.

The cross-Channel train operator has warned of “major disruption both to our services and transport throughout Paris on Sunday 17 February”.

Besides the main line north from Paris Gare du Nord to Lille and Calais, RER suburban rail and Metro services face disruption – as will the A1 autoroute.

Eurostar is telling passengers: “As a result of this operation we have had to substantially revise our plan for Sunday and will be running a modified timetable.

“This includes the cancellation of five services and the rerouting of one service to Marne-la-Vallée.

“Due to the high volume of customers and limited availability, we are advising that customers travelling this weekend change their plans.”

The train operator is offering free exchanges or full refunds.

Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police detain protesters EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A car is set alight in the protests AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures The Arc de Triomphe is graffitied with the slogan: 'he yellow vests will triumph' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters barricade themselves on the Champs Elysees as police line the streets Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester fires at police with a slingshot AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds up a sign that reads 'your Europe ruins us' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester gestures amidst burning cars EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester runs amidst tear gas Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters on the Champs Elysees amidst tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters in yellow vests gather outside the town hall in Bordeaux EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees after the police deploy tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters stand by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police take formation AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A general view of the Champs Elysees in Paris today as protesters clash with police Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears a jacket reading 'Macron, thief, lier, crook, go away, the people banish you' AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters hold a French flag by a burning barricade AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a fire AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears an adapted yellow vest reading 'Macron's cemetery: here lies your buying power' AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a burning car AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police advance through tear gas followed closely by their water cannon EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Tear gas is deployed to deter the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag amidst tear gas AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas by the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds a sign asking for the reintroduction of ISF (an old French tax on wealth) AFP/Getty

Trains from Paris to London are worst affected. The four cancelled trains would normally carry up to 3,600 passengers.

Many passengers in the French capital for a late Valentine getaway could be stranded until Monday.

Two other trains are being delayed.

A single London-Paris service has been cancelled. Passengers on the southbound train diverted to Marne-la-Vallée, the station for Disneyland Paris, will be given tickets for the RER to the city centre.

The train operator said: “We’re very sorry for the inconvenience caused by a delay or cancellation to your Eurostar journey. We understand how stressful this can be and we will always try our best to prevent this.”

The deactivation will also cause problems for travellers between Paris Charles de Gaulle airport and the city centre.