RAIL passengers have welcomed plans for a new loudspeaker system to be installed at Farnworth Station -- although they believe that more could be done to improve the facilities.

First North Western, which operates the majority of services through Bolton, plans to install a PA system at the station after listening to passengers complaints about the lack of information about train delays and cancellations.

At the moment, passengers can only get information on train delays from a platform guard who works at Farnworth Station.

But passengers using the station at the weekend do not get any information as the guard is off duty.

Stewart Ogden, a rail user from Park Street, Farnworth, said: "A new loudspeaker system would certainly be better than what we've got at the moment. There is a guy who sits in a hut on the station, but it isn't very practical at weekends, because he isn't there.

"A new loudspeaker system is a step in the right direction, although I think that the station could be improved even more, if screen monitors were installed for instance."

David France, Communications Manager for First North Western confirmed that they were in talks with a contractor to install a PA system and said: "We've listened to passengers' concerns and we believe that a new PA system will help to solve that problem.

"We want a PA system that will not only be useful to passengers, but that also isn't too loud for residents living nearby."