AN investigation was under way today after 14 people were injured when a steam engine collided with carriages.

The accident happened when the Duke of Gloucester loco, on the privately-owned East Lancashire Light Railway, shunted into carriages at its Rawtenstall station.

The impact, which happened as the engine moved from one end of the carriages to the other, caused passengers to fall or bang their heads. All the injuries were minor.

The accident on Saturday happened during one of the railway's regular steam enthusiast days.

Light railway chairman Peter Duncan said: "As a precautionary measure a number of passengers with minor injuries sustained when the stock moved unexpectedly were taken to hospital.

"An incident officer and engineering staff were despatched to Rawtenstall to commence an investigation into the accident and to examine the locomotive and stock to check it was fit to return to Bury.

"A light engine was despatched to Rawtenstall to work the stock back to Bury, with Duke of Gloucester attached to the rear of the train.

"The locomotive and stock have been withdrawn from service for full examination."