TRAIN passengers will have a difficult journey home today for Christmas as Northern has cancelled a number of trains.

'Unprecedented' sickness levels and drivers on leave have been blamed by Northern bosses.

Passengers have been advised people to check online before travelling.

A spokesman added: "We are sorry for any disruption customers may face.

"Alongside the annual leave entitlements at this time of the year, we currently have unprecedented levels of sickness.

"That means we expect there to be some pre-planned cancellations on certain lines."

Northern confirmed three services would be affected with a replacement bus service running between Liverpool Lime Street and Wigan North West, which affects St Helens Central, a reduced service from Manchester Piccadilly and Hadfield and a combination of both between Lancaster and Morecambe.

Earlier this week The Sunday Times was briefed that private train operator Northern Rail was to lose the franchise and an “operator of last resort” would be brought in to run the railway, effectively bringing it under direct government control.

In a combined statement, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool city region, demanded confirmation from ministers over whether the reports about Northern Rail’s future were correct.

They said: “All year we have been calling on the Government to get a grip of the chaos on the railways of the North and remove the franchise from Northern.

“Now, just days before Christmas, Government sources have finally responded by briefing a Sunday newspaper that they are belatedly going to take action.

“This is not good enough. Passengers and staff need clarity going into the New Year."