Train services resume at Preston as police reveal reason for station evacuation

All services were suspended at Preston after the fire alarm sounded at around 8.15am.

Passengers and rail staff were swiftly evacuated from the station whilst an investigation into the cause of the alarm was carried out.

British Transport Police (BTP) said there had been a fault with the fire alarm, which continued to sound for more than two hours.

"Looks like a fault with a fire alarm", said a spokesman for BTP following this morning's evacuation.

"We were called at 8.17am and were on scene for around two hours to support station staff.

"There is a fault on the fire alarm and alarms are still sounding.

"Local services and freight have been passing through the station, and there are no trains with passengers trapped between stations.

The station remained closed until 11am before passengers were welcomed back inside and services began to resume.

All services remained suspended until 11.30pm, when the last bus replacement service left the station for Blackburn.

Northern said residual delays might continue to affect services until around 12.30pm.

Earlier this morning, Northern had tweeted: "The fire alarm has sounded at Preston Station which is being evacuated.

"The cause of the alarm is being investigated. No trains currently running."

Replacement buses operated by Coastal Coaches, Tyrers and Sline shuttled stranded passengers to and from the railway station during rush hour.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for comment.