Tests are being carried out on toilet door locks on a train that was supposed to showcase a £19m revamp, after Derby Evening Telegraph business correspondent Kevin Palmer was locked inside the loo for 15 minutes.

It was the first time the train had been out on track since it was given a makeover as part of work on Midland Mainline's fleet of 16 High Speed Trains.

But Kevin hadn't even been caught short - he was just freshening up before having his photo taken eating breakfast on board.

A specially-invited group had just boarded the first Midland Mainline High Speed Train to be given a makeover - from engines to interior, and livery to lavatories.

A rather flushed Kevin said: "I can vouch for the smart appearance of the toilets - I was locked in one for 15 minutes.

"The train had just left Derby for Sheffield, and I went to the smallest room.

"First, the lock did not work properly. Then, on trying to leave, it would not unlock.

"The lock handle just turned round, but it was stuck - and so was I.

"Banging on the door attracted attention, and soon a top executive of sister firm Maintrain was wrestling with the lock from the other side, eventually resorting to removing the lock and door handle completely.

"I emerged as the butt of lavatory jokes and to humble apologies."

Midland Mainline officials were very embarrassed but also very apologetic.

And Kevin said: "This was a preview but just imagine what might have happened if it had been a real passenger service and the person trapped had been an elderly person with a heart condition, a single parent with their child or someone who suffered from claustrophobia. It would have been a very different story."

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