THOUSANDS of rail passengers have urged the regulator to reverse a decision to reject 12 extra GNER services between Yorkshire and London.

In just six days more than 5,000 passengers have contacted the Office of Rail Regulation to express their support for the extra services, which would run between Leeds, Wakefield, Doncaster, Newark, Grantham, Peterborough, Stevenage and King's Cross.

Passenger journeys on the route between Leeds and London and from London to Leeds, have increased by up to 40% in each direction from 2000 to 2005.

In addition to passenger support, 29 MPs have so far signed an Early Day Motion tabled by Wakefield MP Mary Creagh calling for the regulator to change the draft decision.