GRAND Central Rail has been awarded the contract to run trains between London and Bradford for another decade.

An extended ten-year contract has been agreed by the Office of Rail Regulation following a 28-day consultation last year.

It will allow Grand Central Rail to continue operating services between London King’s Cross and Sunderland and London King’s Cross and Bradford until 2026.

The company said the agreement would allow it to make "significant" investment in its rolling stock and invest in passenger facilities such as car parks.

Managing director Richard McClean (pictured) said: "The ten year extension to our rail access is excellent news for our passengers and employees and highly significant for the wider rail industry.

"For many of the towns on our routes we operate the only direct service to London, so this extension is a big coup for those communities and local businesses as well, who can continue to make connections to the capital."