COMMUTERS are being hit by delays due to a rail strike today.

Members of the RMT union at Arriva Trains North, which runs Northern Rail services, are staging a 24-hour walkout in a row over the role of conductors.

A reduced train service is still be running through Bolton on the Blackburn to Manchester Victoria and Blackpool North to Manchester Airport lines.

Replacement bus services are operating between Bolton and Clitheroe, also calling at Bromley Cross and Hall I’ Th’ Wood.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said the action for "passenger safety and the retention of the guard" on Arriva Rail North was "absolutely rock solid".

He added: "Arriva Rail North should listen to their staff, listen to the public and recognise that there is no case whatsoever for axing the guard from their trains."

Northern said it will be running around 40 per cent of its services, 980 trains, between 7am and 7pm.

A spokesman said: "Our modernisation proposals are still in the early stages so it is disappointing that RMT is taking strike action.

"There is lots of time to talk and agree how we modernise the way we provide customer service.

"As part of our proposals we are prepared to offer guarantees on jobs and pay to our people."

Deanna Shenton, from Blackburn, was facing a much longer commute this morning as she had to change trains at Bolton.

She said: "It has been a real pain today. I work in Manchester and can usually get the train straight through to Oxford Road, but today I have had to stop in Bolton to get on a train to Victoria instead.

"Hopefully, the issue can be resolved and commuters will only be affected today."

Jeff Wood, aged 71, said: "I didn't realise there was a strike on until I picked up the newspaper this morning.

"I have to get to Blackpool and this is causing me a real problem.

"I was due to have a meeting this morning, but I know that I am going to be late now."