A COOLING system accidentally placed next to a heater has wrecked train schedules between Lancaster and Barrow.

Rail company First North Western trains have apologised for the design fault, which lead to a series of complaints from residents in Silverdale about the late running of the train to Barrow. The fault has now been corrected.

Their managing director, David Kaye met last week with local MP Geraldine Smith and members of Silverdale parish council to discuss improvements to the service.

Miss Smith said afterwards: "It is essential we should have safe, clean, reliable train services if we are to encourage people to use public transport.

"I shall be monitoring the situation closely and would like to hear from any constituents who face delays in the future."

A First North Western spokesperson said: "Recent problems with First North Western's new fleet of trains have been caused when the temperature around the battery charger on the trains has reached excessive levels.

"The problem has occurred despite earlier modifications to the trains by the manufacturer, Alstom.

"The nature of the problem is now fully understood and all the trains have been modified to keep the battery chargers at lower temperatures.

"First North Western is rigorously challenging Alstom -- the company that manufactures and maintains these trains on its behalf -- to ensure them that effective and lasting solutions to the teething troubles of the new trains have been found.

"In the meantime, First North Western is doing everything possible to minimise disruption to passengers."