Rail passengers had to be evacuated from a high-speed express after fire broke out in an engine compartment as it approached Oxford Station.

The blaze, beneath the floor of one of the carriages, was quickly put out by the train's extinguisher system and firefighters at 4.20pm on May 7.

Passengers travelling on the Virgin Voyager Aberdeen to Bournemouth train packed the concourse while the damaged train was moved to sidings.

They were kept waiting almost an hour before a replacement service was laid on.

Virgin spokesman David Ewart said the train had been evacuated as a precaution after the driver noticed flames and smoke coming from the exhaust of one of the vehicles.

He said: "The train was evacuated without any injuries, and the fire brigade attended as a matter of routine."

A full examination was being carried out.

Assistant Divisional Officer Mike Bingham, of Oxfordshire Fire Service, said the fumes and smoke had been caused by oil spilling on to an exhaust manifold, following a failure in the second carriage's turbo mechanism.

Passenger Denise Evenden said: "There was no panic and we were all kept informed. I think the rail authority did a really good job."