Great Western Coffee Shop

PASSENGERS told of a nightmare train journey from Weymouth after the service was disrupted by a rowdy group of youngsters.

They described a 'frightening^ journey from Weymouth towards Bristol as the group caused a disturbance, leading to an hour delay further up the line. The group were eventually escorted from the train by police in Wiltshire.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called when the First Great Western train reached Castle Cary and said they escorted a large group from the train at Westbury. No arrests have been made.

Christine Button, 72, was travelling back on the train with her husband Colin, 76 after celebrating Mr Button^s birthday.

Mrs Button said that a large group of young people got on at Weymouth station. She said that a small minority were shouting and swearing and one person told her there had even been some fighting.

She said: ^It was absolutely frightening. I have never experienced anything like it. The language was disgusting. I can^t understand why someone in Weymouth station didn^t see what would be happening. Why didn^t they stop the train at the station?^

A spokesman for First Great Western confirmed the train was stopped at Castle Cary after passengers on board because disruptive.

He said: ^British Transport Police were contacted, as well as the police. Having arrived at the station the train was attended to by police and departed at 7.39pm ^ 62 minutes late ^ with BTP travelling on board.^

He added: ^Thankfully such incidents are extremely rare, and we will keep working with the BTP to maintain and improve the security of our stations and on board our trains.^

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said that that the group was attending an event at a club. ^All appeared calm by the time the train arrived at Westbury as BTP officers were on board. No arrests were made.^

A spokesman for BTP said: ^We were called to Castle Cary station 6.40pm on Thursday, April 2, following reports of a group of people causing a disturbance on a Weymouth to Bristol train.

^Officers boarded the service at the station, and spoke to several passengers who complained of anti-social behaviour.

^A large group of people were escorted from the train at Westbury station. Officers are now speaking to witnesses and studying CCTV footage to build a picture of what happened.^

BTP officers are now reviewing CCTV images to build a picture of what happened and are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information should call BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 559 of 02/04/2015.