Rail passengers were left stranded after the train they were on appeared to run out of diesel.

The First Great Western service from Paddington to Hereford was terminated at Oxford on Friday after the fuel warning indicator incorrectly showed diesel was running out. The passengers were forced to disembark and wait 30 minutes for a replacement.

Richard Hannah, 47, of Woodstock Road, Witney, who was a passenger on the train, said: "Everyone was extremely irritated.

"I am sure it is a rare occurrence, but with a return ticket to London at nearly £50, First Great Western need to pull their socks up.

"The train driver rather flippantly told us that someone forget to put diesel in the choo-choo."

The incident happened on the 11.51am service and First Great Western said it was investigating the incident. A replacement train was laid on as far as Ledbury, with coaches and taxis to transport people from there to Hereford.

It also meant the 3.19pm service from Hereford to London was affected.

John Ellis, vice-chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said: "It is annoying, particularly for those who are severely inconvenienced, but the general level of performance is improving and we hope it will continue to."

FGW spokesman Dan Panes said: "The fuel warning indicator came on but the train was not actually running out of diesel - there was actually enough fuel to continue the journey.

"We apologise to passengers for the delay and we are trying to find out the reason for the fault."