Several trains were delayed in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh after the station master got drunk and fell asleep while on duty, officials said.

Deep Singh did not respond to repeated calls from officials, causing them to rush to the Murshadpur train station.

According to local media, Mr Singh was found sleeping in his office with empty alcohol bottles under his cot.

Authorities said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.

They added that a medical examination showed a high level of alcohol in his blood.

“He was dead drunk and could barely walk,” a senior railway official is quoted as saying in The Hindu newspaper. He added that it was “a very serious matter” which would be further investigated.