FEARS passengers would be squashed into trains from St Helens to Liverpool like sardines have led to a £1 Christmas cracker promotion being ripped up.

Passengers can normally take advantage of the offer on Sundays and Thursday evenings in December.

But train company Northern Rail has scrapped the deal for St Helens passengers because of “overcrowding in previous years” on the City Line.

The travel firm said it expected passenger numbers to be busier than ever because of the Liverpool One shopping development.

Lee Wasnidge, area director west at Northern, said: “We would not want to take part in a promotion that we then couldn't guarantee room for everyone to travel, therefore we have taken the reluctant decision not to take part in the Christmas Cracker scheme this year.

“We are proud to have supported the scheme for many years and regret that cannot take part this year.

“However, we are working with the Department for Transport to bring additional carriages to Northern in the period up to 2014 so will be reviewing this position for the future.”

Northern will continue to offer the DUO ticket, which offers one return ticket, plus a second for half price when two adults travel together on selected routes.