Manchester Piccadilly has descended into travel CHAOS this evening as scores of people try to leave the city centre.

Hundreds of passengers are fruitlessly attempting to board trains out of the city this evening, resulting in long queues and severe overcrowding.

Travellers are currently describing scenes 'never seen before' amid delays and cancellations due to reports of a lack of train drivers and short-formed carriages.

A number of Northern services are running over 10 minutes late as passengers struggle to get through the ticket barriers.

This morning, drivers were warned of traffic delays as a result of the Manchester United game and one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and the Christmas Markets.

For the second time in Manchester this week, passengers were warned to allow for 'extra time' around the Old Trafford area.

(Image: Michelle Suzanne)

It appears tonight's travel chaos is instead due to the ongoing disruption to Northern services following scheduled strike action.

National rail issued a warning stating that a 'heavily reduced' Northern service will operate today with 'very few' services running after 5pm.

Adam Derbyshire attempted to board a train from Piccadilly to Stockport this evening but said he was forced to leave the station and pay £22 for a taxi home.

"I was trying to get to Stockport - it was just awful," Adam said.

"People were confused as to where to go, the platforms were full and the staff seemed to have no idea what was going on.

"The trains were short formed and people were pushing and shoving to make sure they got on the trains."

Drew Whitworth tweeted: "Manchester Piccadilly station, tonight. The quality of the Norths transport infrastructure, right here."

Jackie Perry said: "Unbelieavable. Leaving Leaving teenage children behind yet again and shutting doors due to lack of capacity.

"No sense of responsibility whatsoever. Vulnerable customers 14 years old stranded in Manchester. In the evening. Disgraceful."