BOOK or else has become rebook or else for thousands of GNER passengers as the Christmas rail nightmare worsens.

Passengers who have already made bookings have now been told to confirm their arrangements - or risk losing them.

And then they must arrive airport-style at the station 30 minutes before their departure - and are being urged to limit their luggage.

As revealed in Monday's Evening Press, GNER is guaranteeing travel only to those with reservations - but now customers are being "strongly advised" to reconfirm bookings made since the database opened in October.

"Many of the reservations will need to be reallocated based on the new timetable," said spokesman Alan Hyde.

"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."

He added that staff would be asked to work extra hours to cope with the high volume of business during the festive period. Some rail passengers at York Station today greeted the news with expletives, while others had more measured reactions.

"I suppose we will have to grin and bear it," said Michael Gregory, from London.

"I guess this will be my last visit of the year, I am not sure if I will be able to cope with overcrowded trains and a big bag of shopping."

Ben Grimshaw, 23, who lives in Haxby, faces "a nightmare" returning to visit his parents in Surrey over the festive period.

"We have already booked our tickets. I really hope they honour our reservations. I don't fancy driving all the way to London, but it isn't their fault."

There will be no GNER services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day. Passengers are being asked to contact GNER on 08457 464637 as soon as possible after Monday, to confirm the exact time of their train and to book a seat reservation.

Estimated journey times are three hours 40 minutes from York to London and three hours ten minutes to Edinburgh.