A TRAIN was searched at Winchester station on Saturday night after passengers reported a suspicious person on board.

The 20.35 Waterloo to Weymouth service was stopped on platform two at about 9.20pm for around an hour while police searched the train.

Nothing was found, no arrests were made and the train was eventually allowed to continue its journey.

A police spokesman refused to confirm if the incident was related to a terrorist alert and was unable to say whether the train was evacuated. Inspector for the Winchester city sector, Kevin Baxman, said: "We aimed to keep any disruption to a minimum. We would like to thank passengers and members of the public for their patience and vigilance while we carried out our checks."

Martin Sherwood, 24, of Swan Lane, lives opposite the station and witnessed what was happening.

He said: "From my window I saw two police officers walking down Station Hill away from the station with two people in civilian clothing.

"They were turning people away from the station and they taped off the two subways on both sides of the road of Sussex Street but kept the road open. Then a big four by four turned up and blocked up Stockbridge Road and they taped off half of the Albion pub.

"I was watching the news about the Glasgow Airport incident and instantly thought that because Winchester is the old capital of England the incident could have been a terrorist attack. I have lived opposite the station for two years and I have never seen the roads cordoned off."

A spokesman for South West Trains said: "The 20.35 Waterloo to Weymouth service stopped at Winchester at about 9.20pm. A passenger had reported suspicious people on board the train and the police were called. The train was back on the move at about 10.55pm and arrived at Bournemouth about an hour and a half late.

"There were a few delays as a result of the train being stopped at Winchester, five trains ran about 40 minutes late. We apologise to the passengers who were delayed."