A parcel bomb primed to explode was yesterday found by transport workers in an empty train carriage in Rome’s metro system and defused by security officers, a spokesman for the city council said.

“It was ready to explode,” said Giampaolo Polizzaro.

“It seems it could have been activated by remote control because it had something that looked like an antenna,” Mr Polizzaro said.

Officials said the bomb was composed of gunpowder and metal tubes and was hidden inside a shoe box under a train seat.

The bomb was found at Rebibbia – the last stop on the B-line on the outskirts of the Italian capital – after the last passengers had descended from the train coming from Rome city centre.

Security officers were called and isolated the area where the bomb was found but did not evacuate the station. The metro system continued functioning as normal during the operation to defuse the bomb.

Security measures have been stepped up in Rome following violent anti-government protests last week and ahead of expected rallies today.