A train struck a tractor on a crossing near Banbury yesterday, creating chaos for Rail travellers.

The railway line between Banbury and Leamington Spa was blocked for more than two hours after the train hit the tractor, which was towing a trailer, at 9.30am.

Train operator Chiltern Railways said the 8.02am Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill Service clipped the vehicle at Clattercote Priory Crossing, between Fenny Compton and Banbury.

A total of 40 firefighters attended and remained on standby until Chiltern Railways confirmed the 29 passengers would not need to be evacuated.

The company said it was working closely with Railtrack to establish the cause of the incident and had sent a driver manager to the site to interview the driver. The train's black box was also recovered for analysis.

A Railtrack spokesman said: "The impact was minor causing minimal damage to trailer and train. There are no reported injuries and the train was able to proceed.

"The crossing is a user-controlled crossing with a telephone link to the signal box. A full investigation is under way as to what caused the incident."

Northbound services were forced to terminate at Banbury while Railtrack carried out checks on the line. Services southbound between Birmingham and London were delayed by up to an hour.