Horse spotted on Wellingborough railway line

Trains running through Wellingborough had to travel at a reduced speed on Sunday evening for a very unusual reason - a horse was spotted on the tracks.

The horse had managed to stroll onto the line between platforms 3 and 4 at around 9.30pm on Sunday. How it managed to get there remains a mystery.

Andy Holton, who posted a photo of the horse to Twitter, wrote: "Oops horse on the down slow at Wellingborough.

"Pretty sure that's not meant to be there (station staff informed)."

The tweet attracted attention from Radio 1 breakfast host Greg James, who wrote: "The best bit about this is that it had to be pointed out to station staff."

A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed they had been informed and a spokesman said: "Our teams carried out checks in the area and trains were running at a reduced speed.

"The horse was later found just south of the station and was safely back in its yard at 11.40pm.

"The areas around Wellingborough station have been visually inspected and our teams are continuing to establish how the horse got onto the railway."

While there was a happy and safe ending for this pony, Network Rail said: "We would encourage anyone who keeps livestock to make sure it is secure and away from the railway.

"Being on the line causes delays to services, costs taxpayer’s money and can lead to injury or death of the animal.