CHRIS MARTIN - CHRIS AND GWYNETH'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER

Superstar lovebirds CHRIS MARTIN and GWYNETH PALTROW dispelled reports of a rift yesterday (19AUG03), by staging their own version of 1946 movie classic BRIEF ENCOUNTER in London.

The pair were spotted passionately kissing on a train journey from London to the capital's Gatwick Airport - emulating the lovestruck screen strangers played by TREVOR HOWARD and CELIA JOHNSON - before the celebrity pair jetted off for a break in Spain.

Chris and Gwyneth - who have dismissed claims they are planning to marry, amid rumours of a relationship rift - even snubbed the Gatwick Express's first class carriage to mingle with other travellers.

A fellow passenger says, "To all intents and purposes they looked like any other young couple going off on holiday.

"They were being very affectionate and didn't give off a desperately starry aura."

The pair were back in Britain for last weekend's (16/17AUG03) V2003 Music Festival, which Martin's band COLDPLAY headlined.