Trains disrupted by gun incident

Police searched an industrial estate near the railway line (pic: Peter Realf)

Train services were suspended on a busy rail route as police investigated a firearms incident near a station.

Officers had been hunting an offender "suspected of possible firearms offences" after an incident in Rugby, Warwickshire, police said.

Armed police, a force helicopter and dogs were used to "ensure the safety" of officers and rail passengers.

Virgin Trains on the West Coast Main Line, to and from Euston, were suspended for more than three hours.

There were no reports of any injuries following the incident, which had also left London Midlands trains unable to travel through Rugby.

Police carried out a search for the offender in the Hunters Lane area of Rugby.

All trains will now get to their destination, but much later than was planned Virgin Trains spokesman

Stephanie Clifford, a passenger on the 1857 BST London Euston service, told BBC News she had been delayed since 1940 BST after travellers were told shots had been fired at officers.

"We had two announcements from the guard," she said.

"The first one said that someone was firing at a police helicopter with a rifle and [then] the guard said the whole station, including the tracks, [was] declared a crime scene."

However, Virgin Trains later confirmed police had given the go-ahead for services to resume, just before 2300 BST.

"All trains will now get to their destination, but much later than was planned," he said.

"We're not sure what has happened, but police were comfortable that there was no danger to trains in the area, so services could continue."

He said that some trains would probably take until 0100 BST on Thursday to reach their destination, but all services would be back to normal for the morning rush hour.

Warwickshire police confirmed no-one had been injured during the incident