A DALTON man who was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work after sparking a major incident by trespassing on the train tracks is set to return to court.

Two trains had to be cancelled and 12 were affected by delays after Jack Brendon Travis Dodd was found walking along the train tracks near Furness Abbey on December 21 2016.

Dodd's actions caused more than four hours of delays, while Network Rail had to pay £5,920.14 to Northern after services were affected along the Furness line.

Dodd appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court in January where he pleaded guilty to obstructing a railway engine and trespassing on the railway after a warning.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, told the court in January that police were called to search the area at approximately 3pm after receiving reports that there was a suicidal man on the tracks.

PC Irish located Dodd and told him to get off the tracks but he ignored multiple warnings, prompting police to ask for all trains to be stopped in the area.

He eventually came off the tracks shortly after 4pm but only after police dogs and more personnel were called to assist officers.

Mr Michael Graham, defending, said that his client was "not in a clear state of mind" and was in a "low mood" at the time of the incident.

The court heard Dodd has since received help from the Crisis team and is currently residing with his mother in Eskdale Drive, Dalton, as he needs to be in a "controlled environment".

The defendant was handed a 12-month community order during which he must complete 80 hours of unpaid work and was told to pay £500 in compensation to Network Rail.

However, the 25-year-old is due to return to Furness Magistrates' Court on Monday to request the community order is revoked on health grounds.

If the order is revoked, Dodd will be given an alternative sentence for the offence.

Anyone in distress can talk to the Samaritans any time by ringing the free number on 116123. The Barrow, Furness and South Lakes branch can also be contacted via email at jo@samaritans.org.