PASSENGERS were frustrated when the “mane” route into Manchester was blocked by a Shetland pony on the tracks.

The animal got onto the lines at Farnworth just before 6.30am on Monday and caused delays of up to 35 minutes between Bolton and Salford Crescent.

Some services were diverted through Wigan, meaning they did not stop at Chorley, Bolton, Horwich Parkway, Lostock and other stations.

A spokesman for Network Rail said that services got back to normal at about 8.20am.

This picture of the pony was taken by Peter Ingham from Farnworth who was waiting for the 7am train from Farnworth to Manchester.