Firefighters from Cleckheaton were scrambled to Todmorden after a train was derailed when it hit a huge block of ice early today.

Cleckheaton watch manager Gary Hatton said the accident happened when an ice block the size of a car fell from a ventilation shaft, in the Summit Tunnel, Bottomley Road, Walsden, at about 1.45am.

The crew, joining firefighters from across West Yorkshire, used their technical rescue vehicle. They fitted lighting along the tunnel and escorted 47 passengers from the train. No-one was injured.

Mr Hatton said: "It could have been a lot, lot worse."