LANCASTER and Skipton Rail User Group members should press for investment in trains and stations once a new franchisee for the line is announced.

That was the message of Pete Myers, client and stakeholder manager of Northern Rail, at the group's annual meeting at Bentham Town Hall.

Mr Myers described the challenges faced by Northern since it took over the franchise in 2004, and said a growing number of passengers were being carried by a too-small fleet of ageing train units.

However, Northern had bettered performance and punctuality by improving the reliability of its trains.

A new operator for the franchise will shortly be announced, and he urged LASRUG to press the case for investment in the Leeds-Morecambe line's trains and stations.

The meeting was told the new operator will be required to run at least two more trains each way on weekdays and one on Sundays, and there will be an end to the use of Pacer trains, with their four-wheel vehicles. And in the future, there would be an enhanced role for the line's Community Rail Partnership.

Mr Myers was thanked by joint chairman, Richard Rollin.

Fellow joint chairman Hugh Turner reported on an active and encouraging year for the group. He and his fellow officers had met with each of the companies bidding for the new franchise to stress the importance of a more frequent service, which had been LASRUG's main aim since its formation in 1989. This now seemed assured.

Membership secretary, Jack Warbrick, said the group now had about 125 members, while treasurer Gareth Adams reported on a healthy financial situation.

All officers and committee members were thanked for their hard work. Elected for the coming year were: joint chairmen, Hugh Turner and Richard Rollins; secretary, Gerald Townson; treasurer, Gareth Adams; meetings secretary, Kay Craven; membership secretary, Jack Warbrick; committee, David Alder, Lin Barrington, John Bearpark, Margaret Cowling, Stephen Cross, Robert Starling, and Peter Yates (representing Lancaster City Council).

Thanks were expressed to Jim Trotman, who did not seek re-election, for all he had contributed to the group over many years.