A GROUP of North-East football fans were escorted from a train in London after the driver refused to leave the station with them on board.

The six Hartlepool United supporters, who deny any wrong-doing, were escorted from the train by British Transport Police as they tried to make their way home after the game on Saturday.

The men had been in the capital to see their team lose 2-1 to Barnet but denied being drunk or causing any trouble.

Lee Boyd said the group was targeted without reason as it boarded the 8.20pm service from King's Cross.

One of the group was arrested after becoming angry after being removed from the train.

"We were treated terribly," said the 36-year-old from Hartlepool. "We had done nothing wrong - I have no idea why we were dragged off the train."

Mr Boyd challenged British Transport Police to produce CCTV footage of the group misbehaving.

The friends had to travel home by coach, arriving in Darlington town centre at 4.30am on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: "The gentleman that was arrested was drunk and the police were called to platform five by staff to sort the problem out.

"I can confirm that a 36-year-old man was charged with a public order offence. They may think they have done nothing wrong, but clearly people don't get taken off a train for nothing and there was enough evidence to bring a charge."