An inquiry is under way after a train leaving Oxford station passed a red signal, endangering another train that was crossing its path.

The Rail Inspectorate will lead the investigation into how the Virgin Trains's 6.10 am service from Manchester to Bournemouth passed a signal at danger as it left Oxford station on Thursday, August 2 at 9.30am.

It is believed the locomotive and the first two coaches of the Virgin train overshot the signal. The signal had been put at red to allow a Thames Train from Paddington to move across the path of the Virgin train. The trains did not collide.

Virgin Trains, Thames Trains and Railtrack will be involved in the investigation.

A Virgin Trains spokesman said: "One of our trains did pass a signal by a short distance. A full inquiry into the incident is being carried out."

A spokesman for the Rail Passengers' Committee for Western England, which covers Oxfordshire, said: "Safety is the first concern for passengers and we would be concerned if there were any incidents affecting passenger safety.

"We will have to wait for the outcome of a proper investigation."

The Virgin train was one of the company's older types and not one of the new fleet of Voyager trains launched by Sir Richard Branson in Oxford on June 5 this year.