NORTHERN Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has rejected Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham's call for the nationalisation of the region's train operator.

The Labour civic leader and his Merseyside counterpart Steve Rotherham told Transport Secretary Chris Grayling that Northern should be taken into public ownership after serious performance and punctuality failures in the past year after timetable changes.

Bolton North-East MP Sir David Crausby backed their demand to strip the company of its franchise.

Mr Berry said yesterday: "My absolute priority is delivering the services that passengers expect and deserve. We have seen much needed improvements since last year.

"As metro-mayors, both the Mayor of Greater Manchester and Merseyside co manage the Northern rail franchise with the government. Andy Burnham and Steve Rotherham have the power to seek to terminate the franchise if they see fit.

“But at time when performance is improving and brand-new trains are being rolled out to replace the unpopular and dated Pacers, nationalising the service would result in even more disruption and a huge bill for the tax-payer, that's the last thing we need."

Mr Graying's spokesman has also rejected the proposal.