A team of rat catchers in Didcot is the latest measure used to ensure trains run on time.

Rodents and weasels had been a major problem for Rail bosses and passengers by getting into trackside cabinets and causing equipment to short circuit.

The furry pests contributed to a series of severe delays last year and prompted Network Rail, the company responsible for maintaining the tracks, to set up Drat -- the Didcot Rodent Action Team. The nine-strong team of maintenance engineers set about ridding the railway of rats by making signalling cabinets rodent-proof.

They have now modified more than 160 boxes in the Didcot area to keep rats out, and trains on time.

Their efforts were rewarded at Network Rail's 'You Make The Difference' awards, presented by British rower and four-time Olympic gold medallist Matthew Pinsent.

Network Rail's territory maintenance director Greg Lunn said: "The Drat team's award is richly deserved and is testament to the innovative methods our staff are developing to help us run a safe, efficient and reliable railway."

He added: "All of the team's efforts have been carried out in addition to their day-to-day duties on the railway, so their hard work and dedication deserves the highest recognition."

The Drat team is now promoting its services across the rest of the country's rail network helping to ensure the railways are rodent-free.

Among those with cause to celebrate the team's success are passengers who were travelling on trains in the Didcot area on November 11 last year. Rats chewed through cables, causing a massive power failure, disrupting the network for several hours and causing long delays for thousands of passengers. The incident also led to six-figure compensation payments to stranded passengers.