Calls have been made to crackdown on drugs after a man was arrested for allegedly carrying a stash on board a Barrow train.

Concerns have been raised that the railway from Barrow to major cities is being exploited by county line drug dealers.

The concerns come after a man who boarded a train at Barrow Station on Saturday night was arrested on suspicion of drug possession.

According to British Transport Police (BTP), the man is now required to attend a drug awareness course or face court.

Robert Parker, of Furness Line Action Group, said a greater police presence in stations and on trains may lead to more arrests.

He said: “Throughout the country, BTP has been cracking down on county lines and those using the railways to transport drugs.

“I know that criminals are using the trains to drug deal across county lines, which is something BTP and the police are trying to address.

“One of the ways officers catch people is by looking at their ticket and questioning why a person would be travelling from Birmingham to Barrow, for example, for no apparent reason.

“It makes train staff question why they are coming to the area without a genuine reason.”

Mr Parker said more officers may help put a stop to county line drug dealing using trains.

He said: “Anything to cut down on the bringing of drugs to the area is a good thing.”

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: “One young man who boarded a train at Barrow in Furness on Saturday night never made it to his intended destination of Cark.

"Our plain clothed officers were aboard and we didn’t need a dog to sniff out this stash.

“He was arrested and after we turned up to search his home, much to the shock of his parents, he’ll have some further explaining to do to them.

“Thanks Barrow Police and South Lakes Police for assistance with the address searches. He’s now required to attend a drug link course or face court.”