YORK Outer MP Julian Sturdy has called in the Commons for the Government to do more to keep the East Coast Mainline's headquarters in York.

The Tory MP was speaking after the Virgin/Stagecoach consortium which won the East Coast franchise last week refused to commit to retaining a York HQ.

He said that for generations, York had been the 'beating heart' of the route, and he asked Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to look at what could be done to ensure the HQ, currently located in Skeldergate, stayed.

Mr McLoughlin said he understood the point the MP was making but said the lease was up on the company's current premises.

" I want the new franchise company to consider where its headquarters will be, but one of the announcements was that there would be training facilities in London, Derby and York to train people to operate that service. York will always be a very important part of the service.”

Mr Sturdy said it was disappointing York was still awaiting a definitive commitment on the headquarters and he would be requesting a meeting with Stagecoach and Virgin to discuss the matter further.