A YORK girl is to appear on billboards and in newspapers nationwide - as the face of GNER's new advertising campaign.

Rachael Smith, 23, from Bootham, has been picked as one of four staff members who will be starring in the York-based rail firms new adverts.

Rachael, who works at York Station as a travel consultant, will now become even more familiar to the thousands of people who buy tickets at the booking and inquiry desk every day.

Having joined GNER last May, Rachael is not only climbing the ladder to stardom - she also trains new starters at the travel centre.

Rachael said: "I really like the campaign because it promotes staff and shows the people behind GNER. Machines may be able to issue tickets but they can't answer inquiries like we can - and that's what passengers seem to really appreciate."

The new adverts highlight GNER's First Class Business service and the intensive training its staff go through to deliver customer service.

Rachael's manager, Paul Milnes, is equally pleased to see one of his team members in the campaign. "Providing excellent customer service is a top priority at all of our travel centres and this campaign helps to highlight the value that passengers place on face-to-face contact," he said.

"Rachael is a valuable member of the team and it's nice to see our travel consultants' profile being raised in this way - it makes us all feel appreciated."

Rachael, who is looking forward to getting married next June, came to GNER after a year's experience with Thomas Cook in York and a degree in Art and Design from York St John College.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, March 16, 2004