A miniature train at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park has derailed for the second time in three months as it carried children to Santa’s grotto yesterday.

The rear carriage of the Santa Express train at Longleat left the tracks on Sunday, which was the first weekend of Longleat’s Christmas season.

Longleat confirmed that no one was injured in the incident and all passengers were take off the train and escorted away.

In August, six people were hurt when the same train derailed at the Warminster park, with one woman being flown to hospital for treatment to a broken leg by the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

A Longleat spokesman said: "At approximately 11.30am Sunday, while a train on the miniature railway was reversing back towards the station, the rear bogie of the last carriage became detached from the track.

“The train was travelling at a very low speed. The carriage remained upright. All the passengers on board the train were safely taken off and were escorted away by Longleat staff. There were no injuries to passengers or staff.

“As a precaution, the train will not be running while a thorough investigation is carried out, although Longleat are confident there are no technical issues with the train or the track.

“The train was operating during a private event and Longleat have been in full communication with the event organisers.”

Longleat added that all of the families on board were taken to the Orangery where Santa came down from his grotto to see them and hand out presents.