Train enthusiast Graham Wormald, 34, has been trainspotting for years, visiting stations up and down the country.

The part-time volunteer went along to Westgate station on June 4 in the hope of taking some engine names and numbers for his collection.

But he said as he sat on the platform at about 3pm, three officers from British Transport Police asked what he was doing, took his name and address and told him to leave.

Mr Wormald, of Netherton Lane, Netherton, said the officers admitted he was not in any trouble, but said only people boarding trains were allowed on the platform.

He said: "I just like trains. It's my hobby. I was just disappointed. I wasn't in any trouble and it took three officers to approach me.

"They said I wasn't allowed in the station unless I was travelling, so I left in a very disappointed mood.

"I wasn't upset because there are loads of places I can go and spot trains. You see other people taking pictures of trains and the police don't bother them. I go to North Yorkshire trainspotting and I never have any problems there."

His dad, Malcolm Wormald, 68, said Graham had not been back to the station since, and could not understand why he was ejected.

He said: "It's ridiculous when someone gets stopped for trainspotting in a railway station. It just seems a bit petty of them in my opinion because Graham had been doing nothing wrong."

British Transport Police said they could not trace the incident and could not comment further, but said there was advice for rail enthusiasts on their website, www.btp.police.uk

A spokesperson for Northern Rail advised that rail enthusiasts to advise station managers of their presence when trainspotting.