A WOMAN drove a car on to train tracks, sparking a call for police and railway engineers last night.

The silver Vauxhall hatchback, driven by a 60-year-old woman, ended up on the line at a level crossing in Crawley High Street.

Emergency services were called at 7.10pm.

Network Rail controllers were called to turn the power off and trains were stopped.

Chris Denham of Network Rail said: "It drove a short distance on to the track and we had to turn the power off and stop all trains.

"Our security team towed the car off the railway and we were able to get trains running again by 8.30pm."

This Tweet by Land Sheriffs shows how the car ended up on the tracks.

A police spokeswoman said: "British Transport Police officers were called to Crawley High Street Level Crossing to reports of a car on the track.

"BTP and Sussex Police officers attended. The driver of the car was reported for careless driving and railway obstruction."

She said the woman was not arrested or charged and that police handed the line back to Network Rail about an hour after arriving.