A train was stopped for more than 20 minutes as police were called to remove a group of passengers.

The London Waterloo to Weymouth and Poole service was forced to stop in Brockenhurst just after 3.50pm after a group of passengers were smoking in the carriage and then refused to leave when asked by the guard.

The South Western Railway service was heavily delayed after being forced to wait at the platform.

Eventually, the troublesome passengers left the service after British Transport Police attended.

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A passenger on the service, who was attempting to reach Bournemouth, told the Southern Daily Echo: “We were just in the train getting to Brockenhurst when the coach assistant said that there was some disruptive passengers and they had to stop at Brockenhurst to deal with the situation.

“We had an extended stop at Brockenhurst for a few minutes while the Transport Police got the disruptive passengers out.

“This is obviously caused a lot of delays for passengers.

“We were supposed to get to Bournemouth at 4pm - there is a real sense of annoyance from us passengers on the train.”

BTP has been contacted for more information.