Two men have claimed to have found an Nazi-era train carrying loot – stolen from Jews - that disappeared without a trace during the Second World War.

The men – one Pole and one German – filed the claim in the south-west Polish town of Walbrzych, where, according to Polish law, treasure finders can keep 10 per cent of the value of their discovery.

According to local legend, towards the end of the war, Nazis loaded a train with treasure and weapons, then sent it towards the Czech border through the mountains - where it then disappeared.

But Polish officials have warned the train might be boobytrapped.

Jacek Cichura, the governor of Walbrzych, said the men were "putting lives at risk".

“If the gold train actually exists, then it is probably mined,” he said. “There is also the possibility of methane.”