The scramble for rail tickets began today, as eager passengers tried to secure scarce Christmas seats.

As revealed on Saturday, it is "reservations only" on GNER services over the festive period, and the company is only running a 40 per cent service. York-based train operator GNER published its Christmas timetable today and customers were being urged to book seats to guarantee travel.

Customers who have already made bookings on the Christmas database, which opened in October, are being urged to re-confirm their reservations to avoid disappointment.

Travellers are also being warned to arrive "airport-style" 30 minutes before departure and have been asked to limit luggage for the "comfort of other passengers".

"To minimise overcrowding and inconvenience to passengers during the festive peak, all GNER services between December 21 and January 3 will be on a reservation-only basis," said spokesman Alan Hyde. "We would like to assure all passengers that every effort is being made to overcome present difficulties and return services to normal as soon as possible."

He added that staff would be asked to work extra hours to cope with the high volume of custom during the festive period. There will be no GNER services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.

GNER is operating only 40 per cent of its normal enhanced Christmas & New Year timetable due to ongoing engineering works and longer journeys.

* Passengers wishing to reconfirm bookings should call 08457 464637.

* For information and bookings call 08457 225225 or on the Internet at www.gner.co.uk