TRAIN journeys across East Lancashire will be seriously affected this month after a busy station closes for refurbishment.

Work is taking place at Bolton Railway Station to prepare the tracks, platforms and canopies for faster, more frequent electric train services.

The station will be closed from August 12 to August 27, while Network Rail will continue work to upgrade the station in time for electric trains to run.

As a result of the work, the majority of services will not run in or out of Bolton until the first service resumes on Monday, August 28.

On Mondays to Fridays during this period, passengers travelling to and from stations Clitheroe, Ramsgreave and Wilpshire will have the option to travel via Bolton using the connecting bus services provided to and from Manchester.

Northern Rail said passengers can also travel on a direct train service running from Bolton to Blackburn and Clitheroe during weekdays via an alternative route, which will extend journey times by approximately 30 minutes.

Passengers for the Clitheroe line have been advised to change at Blackburn for train services to and from Manchester Victoria over the 16 day period. For more information check www.northernrailway.co.uk.