'Be quiet' train message praised

A group which promotes courtesy has praised a train driver who made a tannoy announcement asking a passenger to stop shouting when having a mobile phone conversation.

Peter Foot, chairman of the National Campaign for Courtesy, said he had never heard of such an announcement being made on a train before - and described it as "marvellous".

Mr Foot said train passengers having loud conversations on mobiles was a "big bugbear".

The driver made the tannoy announcement on a packed commuter train travelling between London Euston and Milton Keynes.

"This is a special message to the lady travelling in first class in the middle of the train," he said. "Please refrain from shouting on the phone as you are annoying other passengers."

Mr Foot added: "It's big bugbear. People having loud mobile phone conversations on trains. I have never heard of an announcement like this being made on a train before. I think it's an excellent idea... Marvellous."

He went on: "I imagine the announcement was made because another passenger complained to a guard."

A spokesman for operator London Midland said such announcements were not part of any company policy.