PASSENGERS faced disruption on the East Coast Main Line after a train stopped because of brake problems.

The Arriva train stopped near Chester-le-Street Viaduct, in County Durham, on Monday, after smoke was spotted coming from beneath a carriage.

Firefighters were called and hosed down a brake disc that had seized.

The incident blocked the southbound line for more than an hour, disrupting Arriva, GNER and Virgin services.

Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, said: "The driver and conductor reported smoke coming from one of the train's wheels, caused by the seizure of the brake disc.

"The fire brigade were called as routine procedure, and customers and employees were not in danger at any time.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers and to customers of other services that would have been affected."

The train continued to a depot, where it was fitted with a new brake pad.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said both north and southbound lines were closed, but the northbound line quickly re-opened