A TRAIN spilled 900 litres of diesel fuel across the tracks of the East Coast Mainline after an engine leak this morning.

More than 150 passengers had to get off the Cross Country service at Darlington station after the fault appeared during the journey from Durham.

Fire crews, police and officers from the Environment Agency were called to the town centre station at 10.20am when the train was taken out of service.

Witnesses said smoke was seen to be billowing from under one of the coaches but railways staff stressed the leak posed no danger to the public.

Platform 1 was closed until 12.40pm when the empty train was moved out of the station for repairs.

The incident caused minor delays and passengers were able to get on their way by boarding alternative trains within half an hour.