York Station is now so quiet that a goose has laid its eggs near the main entrance

And the reduction in services has led to the local wildlife taking advantage of quiet platforms free of people.

British Transport Police officers based at York have posted photos on social media of a goose which has laid eggs in a flower box on the main concourse, just metres from the entrance to the station.

Although geese are a common sight in the vicinity of the River Ouse, it would be rare to see one enter the usually-busy station, let alone feel comfortable enough to nest.

Twitter users were delighted by the example of a public place being reclaimed by nature during the lockdown period.

Most train operators are now running a reduced timetable and some, including Hull Trains, have suspended services completely due to low passenger usage.

Members of the public can be fined for travelling by train for a non-essential journey and police officers have been patrolling stations to enforce lockdown restrictions.

Northern have taken so many trains out of service that they have had to store their 23 remaining Class 144 Pacers - which are due to be retired in August - on preserved track owned by the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, which has mothballed operations during the crisis.

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