A FALLEN tree closed part of the rail track near Lostock for 90 minutes yesterday.

Manchester bound trains were delayed all afternoon after the incident was first reported by the driver of the Bournemouth to Glasgow Virgin train at 11.45 am. The track was closed until 1.40pm while workers removed the tree, and a temporary speed restriction was imposed while remaining branches were cleared.

A Railtrack spokesman said: "Trains coming south from Preston were diverted missing out Chorley, Adlington, Horwich and Lostock."

Trains travelling in the opposite direction were unaffected.