YORK train giant GNER has defended its fleet of inter-city trains after models were branded "less fuel-efficient than cars".

Research by engineers at Lancaster University claims to have revealed that trains have failed to keep up with the motor industry in terms of reducing fuel needs.

The researchers calculated that an express train between London and Edinburgh consumed slightly more fuel per seat than the same journey being undertaken in a diesel car.

Professor Roger Kemp, who led the research team, said the rail industry had taken its "eye off the ball" on environmental issues in its bid to improve performance.

But a GNER spokesman said that rail travel had many advantages over the car including speed, reliability and comfort.

The research seems to challenge generally-held assumptions that rail travel was one of the most sustainable and environmentally-friendly ways to travel.

The Government believes that asking more people to forsake their cars and travel on inter-city services will help it to meet tough environmental and air quality targets.

The research looked at the ratio between the increasing weight of trains and the fuel requirements. Virgin's SuperVoyager fleet was estimated to be 40 per cent heavier than its ageing 125s.

Seating rules for trains, disabled facilities and crumple zones had all also increased train weight - making them more accessible to people, but heavier and using more fuel.

The study found that the weight and fuel requirements of modern trains had increased to the point where rail travel could soon become the least efficient form of travelling.

"We haven't seen the research in detail," said the GNER spokesman.

"However we would point out that rail travel has many advantages over the car including speed, reliability and safety.

"These are the factors which often influence the choices people make when planning a long-distance journey, such as that between London and Edinburgh. That's why an increasing number of passengers are choosing the train."

Updated: 08:24 Tuesday, June 22, 2004