Updated: PASSENGERS were stuck on a train at York railway station for nearly two hours following reports that a passenger was armed with a gun.

Armed police from North Yorkshire Police and officers from British Transport Police swooped on platform five at 3.30pm yesterday after the alarm was raised by a passenger on board the 1.30pm Edinburgh to London Kings Cross service.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said a woman had reported seeing a man with what looked like the “outline of a gun” in a bag. Police later said no gun was found and no arrests had been made.

The BTP spokesman said the platform had been sealed off and passengers had been prevented from leaving the East Coast train as a safety precaution while police investigated.

“The train was held at York station while armed units from North Yorkshire Police attended to search the train,” he said.

“Officers found no cause for alarm and the train was released.”

The train was kept standing at platform five until shortly before 5.30pm – with no other services able to access the platform.

However a spokesman for East Coast Mainline said the incident had caused little disruption to trains. He said: “All other platforms were in use and while the main bridge in the station was shut off the under passage remained open meaning there was only a slight knock-on effect to other services.

“The lengthiest delay was about ten minutes.” Speaking at the time, Jeffrey Morris said: “I can see dog handlers and there are police all over the place.

“They have sealed the train and they aren’t allowing anyone over the bridge.”

Update from The Press newsdesk (3.50pm, Monday): Following comments posted on this story yesterday, we have again contacted British Transport Police. They reiterate that no gun was found at the scene. They say a "child's plastic toy" was found on the tracks but say this was unrelated.