London couple caught in the act

London commuters used to hearing announcements about leaves on the line and late-running trains got a tannoy broadcast with a difference.

Startled evening rush-hour travellers at West Ham station in east London heard the sounds of a couple apparently having sex emanating from the loudspeaker system.

Transport for London (TfL), which has launched an inquiry, said the sounds had nothing to do with any TfL staff and came from outside London Underground property.

The unusual broadcast was heard at around 6.45pm last night as passengers waited at West Ham for District line Tube trains and for mainline services.

Receptionist Laura O'Connor, 28, who was heading home on the District line, told London's Evening Standard: 'We stopped at West Ham at about 6.45pm. As the doors opened, I heard strange noises over the loudspeaker. It was definitely a couple doing it there and then.

'He was grunting loudly and she sounded like she was having a great time. The driver must have heard it too, as the doors stayed open longer than usual.'

Commuter Ian McFee, 35, who waiting for his train to Southend in Essex, told the newspaper: 'A lot of people gathered round the speakers on the platform. No-one seemed offended. Everyone was just smirking.'

A TfL spokesman said today: 'A broadcast of sexual noises was heard through the tannoy. It was not from the station and it was not from any Underground property.

'We are looking into this. Somehow this has got on to the public address system on the platform. We want to make sure this does not happen again.'