BLACKPOOL rail passengers were put on terror alert after a traveller was found to be carrying two toy guns on a service bound for Manchester Airport.

Police were called to Blackpool North station at around 12.20pm on Wednesday after a female passenger reported spotting what appeared to be a handgun and an air rifle inside a man's luggage.

Armed officers rushed to the scene and services to and from the station ground to a halt for more than an hour as terrified travellers were evacuated away from the train on platform four.

Eyewitnesses claim the 43-year-old man - who appeared not to be British, though his nationality is unclear - appeared to have little understanding of English, but refused to leave the train after being approached by police and rail officials.

He was then forcibly removed by officers from the armed response unit and was questioned by British Transport Police after the guns were found to be toys.

One frustrated passenger, from St Annes, who had been waiting for the train to depart said: "We were sat on train when the commotion broke out. A foreign-looking man was obviously refusing to get off the train and the rail officials and police started to get us all to leave.

"It was obvious that there was something in his bag that they wanted to get a closer look at and, as we were leaving, he began to struggle with them.

"It's unbelievable that somebody can cause so much trouble with little more than a toy."

A police spokesman said: "Obviously, in the current political climate, we have to be alert to any incidents involving weapons.

"It is important to respond as quickly as possible, especially given the destination of the service the toy was found aboard.

"Fortunately this turned out to be a false alarm, but we detained the man for further questioning."