HUNDREDS of Bolton commuters have been left stranded after trains to Manchester were delayed by vandals cutting signalling cable they were trying to steal. 

The would-be thieves struck overnight between Deansgate station and Salford Crescent, with the havoc wreaked expected to impact on services into and out of Bolton up to 5pm today.

The damage has left some services running as much as an hour late at rush hour this morning. 

Some trains coming into the town from Manchester have been cancelled altogether.

Train staff are patrolling platforms at Bolton Station, telling passengers that no services would be running to Manchester Piccadilly at all, with Bolton commuters forced to make alternative travel arrangements at Manchester Victoria.

No cable was actually taken but several lengths were cut near Salford Crescent station in an attempted theft on Sunday evening.

British Transport Police initially thought the problems were down to technical faults after being called at about 10pm.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "After a thorough search of the area was conducted, Network Rail staff discovered several cuts to the signalling cable – though no property was stolen.

“We continue to work with Network Rail in a bid to further search the area and gather as much evidence as possible, and will assist in allowing the railway to re-open as soon as is practicable.

"This incident, and the ensuing disruption, clearly demonstrates just how great an impact cable theft can have – even if the prospective thieves are unable to take the cable away from the site.

“It is vital, therefore, that we trace those responsible and we ask that anyone with information about the incident, which happened in the Ordsall Lane area of Salford, gets in touch."

A spokesman for National Rail said: "A signalling problem caused by cable theft between Deansgate and Salford Crescent means that trains cannot run between Manchester and Newton-le-Willows and Salford Crescent."

They added that a number of routes which call at Bolton would be affected up to 5pm.

Affected services include:

Direct services from Liverpool Lime Street to Manchester Airport are cancelled.

Services between Preston and Hazel Grove will terminate and start at Manchester Oxford Road.

Services between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria will terminate and start at Newton-Le-Willows with a replacement bus service operating to Manchester Victoria.

Services between Southport and Manchester Airport will terminate and start at Manchester Victoria.