A HIGH-SPEED train bound for London ended its journey at Newport after a suspected fire caused smoke to pour from a section of undercarriage.

A group of 30 to 40 passengers were evacuated from the 12.55pm service from Cardiff on its arrival at platform four yesterday at 1.06pm.

Firefighters in four engines, including two from Whitchurch, Cardiff, arrived to check the train and a spokesman said jammed brakes were to blame. They found no need to use any of their firefighting equipment.

But the train was taken out of service and stranded passengers had to wait half an hour for the next London train.

A spokeswoman for First Great Western said the service was terminated due to a fault on the train, which is about 25 years old and had recently been upgraded. The incident caused traffic tailbacks in Newport city centre.