RAIL chiefs have started an investigation after a passenger train from Skipton to Morecambe struck a stationary railway trolley on the line between Clapham and Giggleswick on Friday.

Twenty-eight passengers were aboard the Leeds to Morecambe service and were unhurt in the incident, which happened at about 9.30am. The trolley was carrying railway sleepers and Network Rail bosses are looking into how it came to be on the line.

Passengers were taken back to Skipton and the line was closed for about five hours. All services terminated at Skipton during the time it was shut and replacement bus services were in operation.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said that all passengers on the train were taken to their destinations.

She said: "No passengers or staff were injured. The line was closed to trains until 2.35pm when normal service was resumed. An investigation into the incident is underway.”