A NEW rail service between York and London - using Eurostar trains - got a true Yorkshire send-off today with a brass band fanfare and a VIP launch.

Billed as the GNER White Rose Service, the new trains will help provide two million extra seats a year to reduce overcrowding on the East Coast Main Line.

Two new Class 373/2 trains, sporting GNER's distinctive blue and red livery, were originally built in 1994 for Eurostar UK Ltd, but had not entered revenue-earning service until today. At a glittering launch at York Station were the city's new Lord Mayor, Shan Braund, Yorkshire MEP Timothy Kirkhope and York MP Hugh Bayley, who launched the train on its first journey south.

He said: "This is an important day for York as well as GNER. I'd like to congratulate the staff of the company in getting this service up and running so quickly."

Mr Bayley then unveiled the White Rose nameplate on the newly-painted train. Passengers travelling on the first service were presented with white roses before boarding the London-bound train. On its arrival in London the naming ceremony was repeated by York-born Frank Dobson, unsuccessful candidate in the election for Mayor of London.