RAIL services operator Northern has this morning confirmed a number of disruptions to trains in South Cumbria.

Due to a train fault, its 6.51am Barrow to Carlisle service due to arrive at 9.25am, will no longer call at Askam, Kirkby, Foxfield, Green Road, Silecroft, Bootle, Ravenglass, Drigg, Seascale, Breystones, Nethertown, Parton, Harrington, Flimby, Aspatria and Dalston.

The disruption is the latest in a series of cancellations and delays to affect services in Cumbria which have led to passengers to voice their frustration at Northern.

Earlier this month, Barrow Borough Council vowed to challenge Northern bosses over the "appalling" service. Records show 50 trains were cancelled in one month alone.

A spokesman for Northern said: “We understand the frustrations of passengers in and around Barrow and South Lakes who have recently experienced delays to their journeys.

“Unfortunately, as a result of unprecedented levels of sickness absence, we experienced a number of staff shortages in November and December which had a significant impact on the service we were able to offer to our customers.

“Of course, we do plan for and seek to mitigate certain levels of absence, but those we experienced towards the end of 2016 were over and above those which would normally be expected.

“Staffing levels have since returned to normal and we have recorded notable improvements in terms of the number of services being run to time in the Barrow area."