GREAT Western Railway (GWR) trains, that were taken out of service after cracks were found, have gone back into use after tests found there were no safety risks.

Dozens of the high-speed Hitachi Class 800 trains trains, used by GWR and London North Eastern Railway, were taken out of service causing major delays in areas such as the North East and South West.

GWR also took the trains out of use on the route between Hereford and London Paddington, with passengers using a revised timetable or alternatives such as West Midlands Railway services between Birmingham New Street and Worcester.

The problem was investigated by Hitachi and engineers and independent experts "completed rigorous tests and research” to get a “clearer understanding of the cracking issue”.

Investigations concluded that the cracks on lifting points, that allow carriages to be raised during maintenance work, did not stop trains from operating safely, allowing them to be returned to the network.

GWR said the announcement meant it can introduce “more consistent robust timetables” after the weekend.