A MAN brought the rail network at Bolton to a halt for more than an hour by climbing onto the roof of a footbridge.

Bolton magistrates heard that Daniel Blyth's actions caused disruption costing more than £44,000 on May 31 last year.

The court was told how Blyth, of no fixed address, was spotted on the roof of Lever Street footbridge, south of Bolton railway station at 3pm.

Trains were halted, with one service cancelled and 11 others disrupted whilst Blyth was on the footbridge over the line before he climbed down at 4.15pm.

He was then arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to obstruction of an engine and causing a public nuisance when he appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court, yesterday.

The court heard that 23-year-old Blyth had an unstable childhood and has suffered from a number of mental health problems as an adult.

He had not realised the disruption he was causing when he climbed onto the footbridge.

Bylth was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for two years and must participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £500 in prosecution costs and charges.

Blyth told the court: "I'm tired of the life that I am living and I appreciate the help that I am being offered."

Chairman of the bench, Dr Franklyn Baker, told him: "Obstructing an engine is an extremely serious matter, which caused a series of disruptions to the railway operators costing a considerable amount of money.

"We know why you did it, we have heard the difficulties you had and we are sympathetic, we are mindful of that.

"We are mindful that there is going to be a change in your life. You have a girlfriend and there's a new mental health manager.

"If you were sent to custody we would deprive you of that opportunity.

"We will give you the proverbial last chance."