A SQUIRREL caught on video after it hopped on a train in Grays and took a ride to Purfleet has captured the hearts of internet viewers.

The squirrel boarded the c2c train just before the doors closed after spotting some food on the floor and, after one stop, left the train safely at Purfleet.

A woman called Kim from London recorded the footage, shocked to see the animal on her commute.

She said: "My initial thought was that it was a huge rat, but I soon realised it was a cute squirrel.

"Never seen anything like that on a train before. Poor thing was running up and down the carriage, on the chairs, clambering up the windows.

"I was worried that it might be a female squirrel with babies left in Grays but fortunately it was the wrong time of year."

As the squirrel was getting off the train 28-year-old Kim, who runs a YouTube channel called Thetravellingsurrogate, ensured it could get out safely.

She added: "I made sure people waiting to get on stood to the side. One bloke looked terrified as the squirrel flew past him."