A TRAIN derailed at Penryn today causing the cancellation of the branch line service for the rest of the day.

The incident happened just after 12.30pm and Matthew May, who was waiting for the Truro to Falmouth train heading in the opposite direction, saw the drama unfold.

"It waited outside the station for four minutes or so, but when it came into the station there was a really loud rumble and I noticed that the front of the train was sliding across the track," he said.

Fortunately the rear carriage was close enough to the platform to allow the 25 or 30 passengers to get off the train.

There did not appear to be any injuries and police, firefighters and paramedics were all quickly on scene.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement which said: "Following a report that a train carrying passengers had derailed, fire crews from Falmouth, Truro, Tolvaddon and the incident command unit from St Just were mobilised.

"The first crew to arrive from Falmouth, quickly established that the train derailed at slow speed and was upright.

"None of the passengers were reported injured and all other fire appliances were returned.

"The fire crew confirmed that railway staff had put into place safety measures and that the fire service were no longer required. The crew had left the scene by 1300hrs."

Taxis arrived shortly afterwards to take the passengers to their destination.

National Rail, who described it as a "low speed derailment", declared the station closed for the remainder of the day while Network Rail workers attempted to right the two-carriage train.

The Truro to Falmouth train which Mr May had been planning to catch, returned to the city station.

Replacement road transport has been put in place and is running between Truro and stations to Falmouth Docks.

Your ticket may be used on the following First Kernow routes:

Route T1: Penzance (Station) - St Erth (Station) - Hayle - Camborne (Bus Station) - Redruth (Station) - Truro

Route T2: St Ives (Bus Station) - Carbis Bay - Lelant - Hayle - Camborne (Bus Station) - Redruth (Station) - Truro

Route U1: Truro (Bus Station) - Penryn (Station) - Falmouth (The Moor)

Route U2: Redruth (Station) - Penryn (Station) - Falmouth (The Moor)