TRAIN passengers have been warned that services between Bolton and Manchester are set to be delayed because of damage.

It comes after reports of "overhead line damage" on the route between Preston and Manchester Piccadilly this morning.

Engineers from Network Rail were sent to the scene to survey the damage but the line will have to be completely closed to allow for repairs.

In a Tweet, a spokesman from Northern, said: "From 09:30 Network Rail will close the line between Preston and Bolton to carry out urgent repairs to overhead wires.

"Buses will replace trains during the closure. Journey times will be extended."

One passenger commented: "It was extremely frustrating. I arrived at Oxford Road station at 7:30, giving myself plenty of time to get to Bolton.

"However, trains kept getting cancelled and I had to go to Manchester Victoria instead, meaning I was significantly late to work."

In a further update Northern said the line is expected to be blocked until 2pm.

They added: "Due to a fault with the overhead electric wires between Bolton and Preston an amended service is in operation between these stations (in that direction only).

"This fault does not currently affect services running between Bolton and Wigan North Western however rail replacement coaches will replace trains from 09.30 until 13.30 between Bolton and Wigan North Western/Wallgate.

"This is because Network Rail have advised that the fault will need rectifying and say that it will take up to 4 hours to fix. After discussions with Northern, they have agreed that they will under take repair works starting at 0930 until 1330 after the morning rush hour.

"When the work is underway, the line will be closed in both directions to all types of trains. We are now trying to ensure that rail replacement coaches will run in lieu of trains during these times."