East Lancashire train operator Northern has been singled out for praise for the second time this year its action to improve the diversity of the UK rail industry.

The firm has been shortlisted for the ‘Top Employer of the Year’ award in the upcoming Women in Rail Awards 2023.

The Women in Rail Awards aim to showcase and reward individuals and companies who have made a significant contribution to improving the gender balance, equality, diversity and inclusion within the UK rail industry.

Northern - which runs the East Lancashire Line from Blackpool and Preston through Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley to Colne as well as services through Darwen to Manchester - will find out if it has won the title at a special event on Thursday May 18.

In January, the firm was also shortlisted by Northern Power Women, a leading equality campaign group, for the ‘Large Organisation of the Year’ title at its 2023 awards.

Tricia Williams, Northern's chief operating officer, said: “This is amazing news and comes right on the back of an inspiring Women’s History Month here at Northern.

“In the last few weeks alone, we’ve seen women at Northern take centre stage in a special exhibition celebrating ‘women in uniform’ at the Haworth Gallery in Accrington, issued a rallying call asking women ‘don’t delay, apply today’ for various roles across the business, and just last week we released a video showcasing some of the female drivers here at Northern.

“I’m very proud to champion Northern’s work in this area and I’d like to thank everyone at Women in Rail for recognising the efforts of everyone here at Northern that works with me to help deliver ‘real and visible’ change.”