TODAY sees the deadline for bids for the East Coast Main Line franchise.

The York-based holder of the current franchise, GNER, is "confident but not complacent" it can beat off competition from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains, and keep running services on the country's fastest line for the next 20 years.

The company's directors were today delivering a mountain of documentation to support their bid to the offices of the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority in London.

They face stiff competition from Virgin, which plas to introduce 205 mph trains the fastest in Europe on the York-London route.

GNER, meanwhile, has put forward a package including 25 new 140 mph tilting trains and more frequent services on the line.

A war of words has been fought between the two companies in recent months.

Virgin has attacked its rival by suggesting it suffers from a "lack of vision", while GNER has claimed that Virgin has a reputation for "delivering the worst".

GNER's corporate affairs manager Alan Hyde said the company was planning a massive £3.3 billion investment in services if its bid was successful.

"We are confident but not complacent that we can retain the franchise and have put forward an exciting package," he said.

"We have received tremendous support and feedback from our passengers who have recognised what we have achieved in the last four years just imagine what we can do in the next 20."

The announcement on the franchise is expected in late July.