A locomotive ran out of steam in Folkestone last night and had to be rescued by firefighters.

Passengers on the Canterbury Explorer sightseeing trip had an extra event added to their itinerary as they watched crews filling the loco's tanks with water in Folkestone East sidings.

The steam engine - number 34046 Braunton - had run out of water so crews from Canterbury fire station travelled to the coast to top up the tanks.

The passenger train got into difficulties at 5.35pm and finally got underway again at 7.45pm.

A Kent Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "The train is thought to have run out of water, so crews topped up the supply to avoid any danger to the operators or the passengers on board.

"The passengers stayed on the train while we filled the tanks. There were no reported injuries."

The excursion is believed to have been run by Vintage Trains Ltd and the train was due to pass through a number of Kent towns including Folkestone, Ashford, Canterbury and Dover.

The loco was due to take on water at Headcorn just after midday.

Braunton, a West Country Class engine, has recently been restored.