A TRAIN driver had to remove a shopping trolley that was thrown onto the rails at Christchurch on Monday.

The incident, which caused delays, has been referred to British Transport Police, who are investigating.

The trolley was thrown onto the rails on the Bournemouth-bound line at Christchurch by an unknown offender at around 6pm.

On Twitter, a spokesman for South West Trains said: "It's a criminal offence and is very dangerous. Luckily we managed to remove the item."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Our officers were alerted to a trolley on the track close to Christchurch rail station shortly before 6.20pm on Monday.

“The trolley was removed from the tracks by a train driver before continuing his journey.

“Officers are now looking at CCTV footage to establish how the trolley came to be on the tracks.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 430 of 03/08/15.”