THE Mayor of Greater Manchester has spoken out against claims that the government wants to ditch plans to electrify the railway between Manchester and Leeds.

Andy Burnham said: ""If the report in the Sunday Times is true, it will spark real anger and outrage across the north of England.

"People here have been at the back of the queue for transport investment for as long as any of us can remember and this would leave promises of a Northern Powerhouse in tatters.

"A few years ago, it was hard to escape Conservative ministers heading north to promise us the earth." He called on the government to clarify its position.