Trainspotting is “not essential”, Great Western Railway has said.

The Swindon-based company took to Twitter to warn that hanging around by the railway photographing trains flouted government advice to stay at home.

GWR wrote: “We are aware that a small minority of people are still spending time outside to film trains near our railway lines.

“This is explicitly against government advice and not essential. We all have a part to play in containing the spread of the virus.”

Last month, British Transport Police and Network Rail urged parents to keep an eye on their children to make sure they were not trespassing on railway lines. 

Insp Darren Burridge added: “Safety is our number one priority. We’re asking that we all speak to the young people in our lives and makes them aware of the importance of rail safety, so that they understand that everyone loses when you step on the track.”