East Lancashire's main train operator Northern has appointed Tricia Williams to be new managing director.

She is currently Northern’s chief operating officer, and will take over from Nick Donovan when he steps down in the spring.

Nick joined Northern in March 2020 when the business moved into public ownership under the Department of Transport, after a series of failings being run privately.

Northern operates trains across the North of England including the East Lancashire Line from Preston to Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Nelson and Colne and the Clitheroe to Manchester services via Darwen and Bolton.

Ms Williams said: “After three great years as chief operating officer, it’s an absolute honour to be taking on the managing director role.

"Nick has set the standard – not only for driving this business forward but the standard for truly supportive and inclusive leadership.

"We know we still have big challenges ahead of us. Nick will leave us in a strong position, and the team and I are ready to continue the great work he has started.”

Mr Donovan said: "It is a huge privilege to have had the opportunity to lead Northern – a real highlight of my career – and now feels like the right time to hand over to someone else.

"Tricia is a fantastic leader and I know she’ll continue to transform this business, making a positive impact for the customers and communities we serve.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.