Train services on a busy East Lancashire route have been severely disrupted due to emergency services dealing with a fatality on the tracks.

Lines are currently closed between Preston and Colne in both directions, meaning trains will either be cancelled or delayed until at least 7pm.

This includes the stop at Brierfield so emergency services can safely carry out their work.

Services will be cancelled or revised to not run between Rose Grove and Colne.

A spokesperson from British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line close to Colne station at 3.35pm following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

"Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person has been pronounced dead at the scene and officers are working to identify the casualty and inform their next of kin.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We’re currently assisting the emergency services with an incident on the railway between Colne and Preston.

"We’re advising anyone planning to travel in the area this evening to regularly check National Rail Enquiries while we work with all agencies to get trains running again as soon as possible.”

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