A controlled explosion has been carried out at Blackpool North station following the discovery of a suspicious package.
Bomb squads descended on the scene earlier today after the item was found trackside near platform 5, prompting passengers to be evacuated from the area.
Rail passengers reported being stuck on trains just outside the station because of the incident. Network Rail also confirmed that a 100m exclusion zone was put in place after the package was found.
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The area has now been declared safe and the station has since reopened, with British Transport Police confirming that a controlled explosion had taken place at the scene.
No further details about the nature of the package have been confirmed at this stage, but it is understood to have been found inside the station shortly after 11am today (Sunday).
One passenger caught up in the chaos tweeted: "Currently stuck at Blackpool Station because of a bomb threat. Think we have just heard the controlled explosion."
A number of emergency services were spotted stationed near to the scene including police, paramedics as well as the Royal Logistics Corp bomb squad.
Confirming the news on Twitter, a Northern spokesperson replied to a passenger and said: "A safety evacuation has taken place due to a suspicious package, sadly we do not have a timescale for this at present."
In an earlier statement, Blackpool Police said: "We are supporting British Transport Police with an ongoing incident at Blackpool North Train Station. A cordon is in place and some buildings have been evacuated as a precaution.
"Talbot Rd is currently closed from the junction with Devonshire Rd to Cookson St, as well as the areas of Blackpool North Train Station and Bickerstaffe Sq. Please avoid the area where possible."
National Rail has warned there may still be some delays and/or cancellations. Disruption is expected until around 5.30pm.
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