A RAIL operator today announced it is to review the wording of an advert offering cut-price nights out in Manchester after it was revealed that East Lancashire revellers would have to return home before last orders.

First North Western made the announcement following complaints about the advert for cheap evening returns between Blackburn and Manchester.

The advert reads: "Take the train into the city, go for a half" and offers rail users half price tickets at just £2.70 return.

It adds that the cheap evening return ticket is to be purchased between 6.30pm and 9pm and is valid until 2.30am the next day.

But some customers were left confused and angry when they enquired about the service only to be told the last train from Manchester to Blackburn on a Saturday night leaves almost four hours before the 2.30am deadline, at 10.51pm. The train from the city's Piccadilly Station then stops at nearby Salford Crescent where passengers change to another train which arrives in Blackburn two-and-a-half hours before the 2.30am deadline, at 11.57pm. Passengers on the first train into the city under the cheap rate scheme would arrive just after 8pm.

A spokesman for First North Western said: "There are cheap evening returns available from all stations in Greater Manchester to Manchester and also from selected other stations such as Blackburn, offering customers excellent value evening rail fares.

"The cheap evening return has certain restrictions relating to it and the time restriction is one of them. The advertisement wording is, therefore, generic.

"Our enquiry number is quoted to enable customers to obtain further information about the ticket but we have asked our advertising agency to review the wording of the advert to avoid any misinterpretation."

Blackburn with Darwen's Chief Trading Standards Officer Chris Allen agreed passengers could be misled.

He said: "It is obvious to me that there is a problem and it does have the potential to mislead someone who does not check the train time before they buy this ticket."

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