Network Rail has warned commuters in the north-west about disruptions to services that run along the West Coast Main Line next month.

The organisation revealed that an 18-mile stretch of track in Lancashire will be upgraded between July 13th and 21st, with services linking Warrington Bank Quay, Wigan North Western and Preston likely to be affected.

Although the company confirmed that alternative arrangements will be made to ensure passengers can still make their journeys, it urged people to find out more about the maintenance work.

Network Rail recently announced it spent £5 billion on the railways in 2012-13 and the West Coast Main Line - which carries more than a quarter of the UK's rail freight - is one route in particular that will receive a significant facelift in the coming years.

Route managing director at the firm Dyan Crowther said: "This scheme represents significant investment in the railway in this area to increase line speeds and make the railway more reliable and punctual."