TRAVELLERS faced delays in and out of Altrincham after a large panel was blown from the roof of the Vue cinema.

It resulted in trains between Manchester and Chester being halted while firefighters and engineers examined the damage to the roof of the Denmark Street venue this morning.

While repairs were under way, the cinema was closed and a cordon was put up around the building and surrounding streets, with reports that Tesco shoppers had been prevented from going to the nearby store, amidst fears of further debris being blown from the cinema roof.

Northern Rail advised passengers that services could be delayed or cancelled on the adjacent train tracks.

A spokesman for Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "The fire services was called at 9.35am as there was a roofing section that had come loose.

“In consultation with police and rail officials, a 500 metre cordon was put in place and because of the proximity of the rail line trains were initially slowed down before a decision was taken to stop them.

“Fire engines from Altrincham and Stretford attended.”

We were there most of the day and left at 2.25pm.

The Messenger understands that trains between Altrincham and Chester were affected but by mid-afternoon the service was fully resumed.