An army bomb disposal team was called to Blackpool North station where it is understood an object was found on the track near platform 5.
Train operator Northern confirmed it was a “suspicious package” and the station was immediately evacuated. Police set up a 100-metre cordon around the area, closing several roads for safety reasons.
Talbot Road was blocked from Devonshire Road to Cookson Street and roadblocks were also in place in Bickerstaffe Square.
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Police cast a 100-metre cordon around the station as bomb squad officers examined the package.
Restrictions on Talbot Road have now been lifted to traffic, but the station remains closed.
A bomb disposal robot was seen on one of the station’s platforms and passengers waiting outside the station said they heard what sounded like a controlled explosion.
Dozens of other passengers were reportedly stuck on trains outside the station for several hours unable to get off.
Services were still running between Preston and Blackpool South.
Frustrated passengers and shoppers wait for news outside the station and a nearby Sainsbury’s store.
A statement from Northern said: “Due to a security alert at a station between Blackpool North and Preston all lines are blocked.
“We will provide services from Blackpool North as soon as the station is declared safe, unfortunately this has also affected Blackpool South as staff and stock have been displaced.”
Affected services to Blackpool are those from Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Airport, Hazel Grove and York.
Northern later said that due to the cordon around Blackpool North station, replacement buses would depart from Dixon Road, outside Funny Girls.
A bomb disposal team arrived at Blackpool North station (Image: Kirsty Daley).
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