“WE ARE doing all we can” said a spokesman for Northern after a passenger complained about a group of people ‘singing, hugging and kissing’ on a train from Ulverston.

The rail user acknowledged this behaviour ‘can’t be easy to police’ but said ‘using public transport as a boozer’ was ‘pushing it’.

The complaint to train operators Northern from @cameronlukebar on Twitter read: “How is a group of 10 ladies and children on a train with bottles of wine acceptable in any circumstances?

“Sat on each-other’s laps, shouting, singing, hugging and kissing young lads on the train.”

He said: “We weren’t able to find anyone as the aisles were blocked with people shouting and singing.”

The user, who refers to himself only as Cameron on Twitter, said none of these people were wearing masks and felt it was ‘not fair on compliant passengers or staff’.

The reported incident occurred on the 9.41pm train between Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness.

A spokesman for Northern told the Gazette: “We are doing all we can to make our stations and trains as safe as possible for our customers and staff.

“We have an enhanced cleaning plan in place, with more than 400 dedicated staff, focusing on touch points, toilets and removal of litter.

“We’re also advising customers to keep their distance and have reminders on posters and stickers on our trains and at our stations – we also have automated announcements to make everyone aware that, where possible, social-distancing guidelines should be followed.

“And, of course, we’re reminding all our customers that, unless they have specific exemptions, they should wear a face mask on our trains and at our stations.

“Colleagues from British Transport Police (BTP) continue to support our staff in helping encourage customers to wear face coverings.”

Derek Faulds, chairman of the Furness and District Line Action Group, said: “It’s Friday night and Saturday where the problems are. Hen nights, stag nights.

“We really need more security.

“I think there’s only three or four British transport police for the whole area - Furness, Lancaster, up the coast, up as far as Whitehaven.”

The BTP could not be contacted for comment.

In a reply to Cameron’s initial Tweet, a spokesman for Northern said he was ‘really sorry’ to hear of the passenger’s experience.

He also said the information provided by Cameron would be passed on.