A WOMAN visiting tracks where a loved one lost his life was almost hit by a train and killed, police said today.

The woman, who has not been named, was on the rail line at Brierfield yesterday morning when a train travelling from Colne to Blackpool almost struck her.

Flowers were left at the side of the track with a message which read: "Vinnie, happy birthday babe. Love u and miss ya xxx Always and forever."

Vincent Pritchard, 24, of Milton Street, Brierfield, died instantly when he was struck by the Blackpool to Colne train on the foot crossing last December.

Yesterday would have been his 25th birthday. Today, his mum Pauline said a relative or close friend had been to lay the tribute to him.

She added: "We went to the cemetery yesterday. We have gone a couple of times to lay roses by the track but we worked out the train times."

The First North Western train was stopped for the driver to report the incident and, although local police were called, there was no sign of the woman.

Flowers have been found before on the spot near the crossing by the Waggon and Horses Inn.

Jayne Wright, from British Transport Police, said: "A woman carrying a bunch of flowers was at the scene where some time ago there was a fatality.

"We believe she was visiting the scene to lay flowers.

"By the time we got there she had gone. She was not apprehended and we do not know who she was. But, thankfully, she was not hit."

Vincent was the elder brother of Kelly, Clifford, Colin and Paul.

He was brought up in Preston and Burnley before moving to Brierfield.

He lived in Burnley with his partner, Sharon, and her two children, Megan, 10, and Thomas, 12.