A major incident has been declared following a train derailment near Shap in Cumbria, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said on Monday morning. Emergency services have been called to the area, North West Ambulance Service said. The trust said to have dispatched "resources" to the scene following reports a train had come off the rails on Monday morning between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District.

Other emergency services are working with the trust at the scene, North West Ambulance Service said. It added: "Our priority is to ensure people receive the medical help they need as quickly as possible." Train firm Avanti West Coast said on social media: "Due to a derailed train between Penrith North Lakes and Oxenholme Lake District, all lines are blocked. We are strongly advising customers not to travel north of Preston today."

Avanti said the 4.28am service from Glasgow to London Euston derailed in Cumbria at 6.10am, although no explanation has yet been given.

They added: "Our priority is the wellbeing of everyone who was on board and getting them safely off the train. We are assisting emergency services who are on the scene.

"We'll provide further information in due course, but it is likely there will be significant disruption to our network for a number of days."

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has declared a "major incident" and said their priority is to get people off the train "swiftly" following the derailment.

Speaking on LBC Radio she said: "I have been informed of this incident within the last half an hour or so. I know that a major incident has been stood up. There are no reported injuries.

"We will work swiftly to make sure that people can get off the train safely. I will be remaining in constant touch with the train operating company and the railway accident investigation branch."

National Rail has also warned that the disruption could last all day. They warned that passengers travelling in the area could expect delays of up to two hours or their service to be cancelled.

In a statement, they added: "Major disruption between Carlisle and Preston expected until the end of the day.

"A derailed train between Penrith and Oxenholme means all lines are blocked. Trains running between Carlisle and Preston may be delayed by up to 120 minutes or cancelled."

It has been announced that rail replacement buses are operating between Carlisle and Preston to allow people to still travel although TransPennine Express services in the area also being disrupted.

Avanti tickets will also be accepted on alternate routes, National Rail added: "Tickets will be accepted on alternative routes between LondKing'sngs Cross and Edinburgh with LNER, between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central with ScotRail and between Edinburgh and Birmingham New Street with CrossCountryUK"

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS STORY. MORE TO FOLLOW...