CALL THE PONG SQUAD! Dozy student sparks terror alert after leaving bag of dirty laundry on a train.

Byline: STUART CAMERON

A DOZY student sparked a full-scale terror alert after leaving a bag of his smelly clothes on a train.

The scare was sparked after worried passengers called cops when they noticed an abandoned hold-all in their carriage.

It was feared the bag contained a bomb and frantic passengers were immediately evacuated when the train arrived at the next station.

Nearby residents in Neilston, Renfrewshire, were even asked to leave their homes as the train was ushered into a secluded siding. A 400-yard exclusion zone was placed around the isolated train, and an anti-terrorist unit was called.

However, the red-faced student then admitted the "suspect device" was his and contained nothing more sinister than his dirty washing. The un-named man had put the bag of washing on the train at Glasgow Central and had left the carriage for more luggage when the engine took off.

It wasn't until the train was approaching Neilston that passengers noticed the pungent aroma and then spotted the bag.

Among those forced to leave their home was 72-year-old May O'Neil and her partner James Millar, a stroke victim.

Mrs O'Neil said: "It was quite a shock when the police came to our door and asked us to move out.

"We did as we were asked and went to our neighbours.

"Later, I heard there had been a bomb alert on a train.

"I guess police can't afford to take any chances."

A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "The owner of the lost bag approached staff at Central Station and told them a train with his luggage had left without him.

"We would ask all members of the public not to leave items unattended and report anything suspicious."