TRAM services should return to normal tomorrow after repairs took place earlier today.

Overnight maintenance checks by the Metrolink operator found 43 trams were damaged and couldn't be used.

A 12-minute service was in place throughout much of the day, with only single trams running with reduced capacity.

Metrolink operator KeolisAmey Metrolink is planning to operate a normal weekday timetable tomorrow, July 27 - subject to driver availability.

It continues to carry out a detailed examination of the network – the largest light rail system in the UK – and while the cause of the damage to the trams remains under investigation, additional measures have been put in place to return more trams to the network and operate a normal service.

Transport for Greater Manchester's head of operations Alex Cropper said: “I’d like to apologise to everyone who has travelled and whose journey has been inconvenienced by the much-reduced service today.

“Engineering staff and other colleagues have been working throughout the day and are planning to launch a normal weekday service tomorrow.

“However, like many other transport operators, they are still managing high levels of absences due to coronavirus and all available staff are working very hard to keep people moving as best they can.

"I’d encourage people to still plan ahead and check before making their journey tomorrow.”

The latest information and updates are available from the TfGM website.