GNER was today accused of "cheap tricks" after using the picturesque Cornish coastline in an advert - despite the view being 300 miles from the train operator's route.

Disgruntled North Cornwall MP Paul Tyler said he was writing to chief executive Christopher Garnett to demand an explanation for the blunder.

Mr Tyler said the scene from a newspaper advertising campaign claimed to represent "the delights of the GNER railway in the extreme north of England".

But the scene was actually an "alluring seascape" from Stepper Point, viewed across the mouth of the Camel Estuary, from Pentire Point.

The Liberal Democrat shadow leader of the Commons said: "If this is correct, the nearest mainline railway is some 30 miles away, and this view is some 300 miles from the nearest GNER train. They must be truly off the rails!"

Mr Tyler said he had been told GNER had confessed to the "subterfuge."

He claims a company spokesman dismissed the slip as a "subtle attempt to demonstrate our expansionist aspirations".

But Mr Tyler said: "That is not funny. It could be considered a deliberate deception, worthy of a complaint to the Advertising Authority."

He added: "Of course, everyone knows that the North Cornish Coast is uniquely dramatic and beautiful in the whole United Kingdom.

"It beats me why the company thought it could get away with this cheap trick.

"We have had recent examples of the headland at Newquay passed off by a travel company as a scene in Spain, but this is just outrageous.

"I am writing today to the Chief Executive to demand an explanation."

According to reports, the offending picture has now been replaced with one featuring Loch Insch, near Aviemore, in Scotland, which is on a GNER route.

A GNER spokesman said: "It was unintentional, but on a clear day you can see for miles from our trains - but probably not that far!"

Updated: 10:33 Tuesday, July 15, 2003