PASSENGERS were evacuated via ladders after a train broke down between Blackburn and Preston today.

Around 50 passengers were stuck for more than two hours after the Northern Rail service from Colne to Blackpool South experienced mechanical problems between Pleasington and Bamber Bridge at around 9.40am.

After around two hours, another train was sent to the scene and passengers were told to evacuate the train.

They were helped off using ladders and then boarded the replacement train using the same method.

The train finally arrived at Preston at around 12.15pm, more than three hours after leaving Colne.

Subsequent services from Colne, Burnley, Accrington and Blackburn towards Preston were cancelled and delayed well into the afternoon.

Don Hayworth, 69, was travelling from Colne to Kirkham to collect a car.

He said: “It was very stressful, took too long to sort out and ruined a lot of people’s day.”

A Northern Rail spokesman, said: "Due to a circuit breaker fault, the service was unable to progress.

“Another train was deployed onto which we transferred passengers, and this arrived at Preston around two hours after its scheduled time.

“We apologise to all those inconvenienced."