THE DREAM of every young boy - to drive a train - is now set to become the dream of every young girl too.

York-based Northern Spirit are recruiting 50 new drivers and say they want an equal number of applications from both sexes.

At present fewer than two per cent of Northern Spirit trains are operated by women drivers.

Northern Spirit managing director Nigel Patterson said: "We want this figure to increase dramatically over the next few years and that's why we will be welcoming enquiries from female as well as male applicants.

"At the moment we have a dozen female drivers who are all excellent - but 12 out of a total driving force of 678 is a statistic we are determined to change.

"This investment in new drivers underlines The Arriva Passenger Services Group's commitment to the railway industry across the North - and beyond."

Training for applicants lasts 31 weeks with trainee salaries £11,276. Starting pay is more than double - £23,766.

Northern Spirit operate 1,600 trains per day linking key cities across the North of England including Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York.