A train fare evader went to creative lengths to avoid paying for his journey this morning (July 2).

British Transport Police were called after a man was suspected of avoiding paying his train fare.

The man had reportedly been lying down in the luggage rack on the train and covering himself with clothes. It was not a successful effort, as officers from British Transport Police were able to track him down and issue a penalty.

A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: "Called to a fare evader on a train arriving at Lancaster this morning.

More: Met Office verdict on weather reports UK set for 37C 'European plume' heatwave

"The man in question had been trying to evade the Train Manager by laying down in the luggage rack and covering himself with clothes. We won the hide and seek, and the rail company issued him a penalty fare."

Rail passengers are generally told that they must buy their tickets before they start their journey as long as there are facilities such as a ticket office or working self-service machines.

Penalty fares are typically £20 or twice the appropriate single fare from the station where the journey started to the next station or station where the offender leaves the train - whichever is the greater amount.

