A WOMAN was taken to a place of safety after an incident at Pokesdown station.

Police were called to the station and trains halted at 7.25pm on Wednesday after a report of a concern for welfare.

Trains between Bournemouth and Brockenhurst were halted until 9pm to allow police to deal with the incident.

Services returned to normal but hundreds of passengers were delayed.

At the time a spokesman for Network Rail said: "Response staff along with the police have dealt with the incident and trains are now on the move.

"As the line was blocked for some time services are subject to ongoing delays.

"We are very sorry for any delay that this may cause to your journey.

"If you or someone close to you has been affected by this incident or another, there is always someone to talk to.

"Contact the Samaritans on 116 123 free at any time, on any phone.

"Help and advice is only a phone call away."

Network Rail's Land Sheriffs and Trespass and Welfare Officers are currently on duty at the station following a spate of deaths on the railway.

This week they have been accompanied in the evenings by representatives from the Samaritans.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has spoken out about what he describes as the "grim" station and said he hopes to take the matter up with Transport Minister George Freeman when he visits Bournemouth in the near future.