A BOLTON MP has asked outgoing prime minister Theresa May to take the transport secretary with her when she leaves office.

Speaking in Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir David Crausby, criticised the government's handling of Bolton's rail services and asked that Chris Grayling be removed from his post.

"The people of Bolton have suffered years and years of dreadful train service made even worse by Northern Rail and not helped by the Department for Transport.

"In some respects it's sad to see the prime minister stepping down but as she's going anyway can she please take the secretary of state for transport with her and devolve the running of Northern trains to the North."

In response to the Bolton North East MP's questions, Mrs May said the government "won't hesitate" to take action against poor rail operators.

She added: "I have said and the secretary of state has said that performance in the North has been unacceptable and passengers in the North deserve better."