UNDER fire Northern Rail's claim that leaves on the line are responsible for extensive train delays has been dismissed as "embarrassing" by MP Tim Farron.

More than a quarter of the company's trains were delayed or cancelled last month, and they claimed "excess leaves" were at the root of the problem as they became compacted and caused trains to slip on the rails.

But Mr Farron dismissed the company's statement and renewed calls for the body to lose its franchise.

“Just when you think that Northern couldn’t look any more of a laughing stock, they expect fed up commuters to believe that the onslaught of cancellations are largely down to leaves on the line," said the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale.

"But this is no laughing matter for the thousands of people who rely on trains to be able to get to school and work.

“They deserve far better than a rail company who fob them off with embarrassing excuses, when it’s actually down to their own failure to recruit enough drivers that is the main problem.

“If this was any other industry, Northern would have lost their franchise a long time ago – it’s time for the Government to put everyone out of their misery and sack Northern.”

The calls repeat demands made earlier this year when a 5,000 signature petition was delivered to Downing Street demanding Northern to be stripped of their franchise after the Lakes Line service from Oxenholme to Windermere was suspended for a month.