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A fracas broke out at Newcastle train station after staff “screamed” at a group of singers honouring 100 years of women’s suffrage.

Around 30 ladies gathered in Central Station to sing songs and mark the anniversary of women getting the vote.

But Bethany Elen Coyle, who was leading The Women’s 100 Choir, said Virgin East Coast Train staff “aggressively” yelled in the faces of the women telling them to leave.

She said a member of staff grabbed a banner with ‘Deeds not words’ - the rallying cry from suffragettes - on it being held by the ladies.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

She added: “We were greeted by two Virgin staff who repeatedly screamed in our faces while we were singing - didn’t let us finish our first performance - and actually a couple of times grabbed some of the women holding the banner - luckily they weren’t hurt.

“He shouted in the faces of many women, including myself, very aggressively.”

Bethany Elen said the man continually shouted ‘This is private property, get out, get out!’.

Although they had asked permission to use the station, she said they did not hear back from the rail operator but believed they could enter the station.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

She added: “Ironically enough, we are here to mark 100 years since women began to vote.

“But sadly, it appears some places including Central Station Newcastle , or rather Virgin staff, are treating us much the same way as our foremothers were treated.”

Before arriving at the station, the women performed at Grey’s Monument on Tuesday, where they sang Bread and Roses, Swift as the Wind and Quiet.

As they walked down Grainger Street towards the train station, they were met with cheers from passers-by.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Bethany Elen added: “I think it’s incredibly important women come together to make this hugely important anniversary.

“We can’t even imagine the strife and struggle that women endured to win us these rights.

“We have a duty to celebrate our foremothers and fore sisters and we have tried to do it today through music.”

A spokeswoman for Virgin Trains said: “We recognise the incredible importance of today’s milestone, but we do ask any groups get in touch with us for permission before they demonstrate or gather in our stations.

“That way we can make sure not only that their voices are heard but that they and everyone else in the station can move around safely.”