RUGBY League fans are being warned to plan their journeys to and from tomorrow's Grand Final carefully with a reduced train service due to strike action.

The RMT is holding a strike on Saturday which coincides with the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Northern Rail say the strike, which is the eighth Saturday of RMT strike action, will see reduced timetable with very few trains running before 9am and after 6pm.

Northern expects to run around 30 per cent of services and all customers are advised to plan carefully if they intend to travel on the rail network.

On routes where trains are running, all services are expected to be extremely busy and replacement bus services available on some routes where trains aren’t running.

Liam Sumpter, regional director at Northern, said: "On Saturday, as a result of RMT strike action, we will only be able to run a very limited service, with most trains to and from Manchester starting after 8am and finishing before 7pm.

“It is disappointing that RMT has chosen to strike on a day which has such important for the Rugby League fans across the north of England.

“We are doing everything we can to run as many trains as possible, but options to and from Warrington and Wigan are extremely limited. We are, therefore, asking our customers to plan carefully and, where possible, use alternative transport.”

Liam added: “We are working closely with colleagues across the transport industry – and with Super League – to give fans as many options as possible to get to and from the season finale.

"Our priority during a strike is to keep you informed and on the move."

A network map detailing the train plan for Saturday's strike is available here.

See journeycheck.com/northern for train running information.