THE deadline for bids to run train services on the East Coast Main Line arrived today, with rival operators First and Virgin both confirming they are entering the race - again.

Both lost out to York-based GNER in the last battle to win the franchise to operate trains from York to London and Edinburgh in 2005, but they have decided to lodge an expression of interest in the new one.

GNER, a subsidiary of Sea Containers, which recently gave up its existing franchise, remained tight-lipped over whether or not it would be bidding for a fresh franchise.

A spokeswoman for the ailing Sea Containers admitted last month that a renewed bid would "probably be impossible", but stressed: "We are not giving up hope."

York MP Hugh Bayley then urged GNER's management team to launch their own, independent bid for the franchise - and safeguard 400 jobs in York.

But GNER, which is continuing to operate trains under a temporary management agreement with the Government, refused to confirm or deny whether they would register their interest by today's deadline.

A spokesman said: "We are keeping all of our options under review."

A Virgin Trains spokesman confirmed that the company had registered its interest.

He said: "We are expressing our interest and we will see what develops."

FirstGroup also confirmed that they would be doing so by today.

Mr Bayley said that once a shortlist of bidders was known, he would write to all of them, asking them whether they would base their headquarters and senior management functions in York.

He said: "The thing I am most keen to do is to keep the HQ in York, whoever wins the franchise.

"I will speak to my colleagues who live along the East Coast Main Line.

"My support depends on whether companies commit to run the service from York. When the franchise was last considered I lobbied my parliamentary colleagues to support GNER, which they did overwhelmingly, and I will campaign again this time to get a good result for York.

"Everyone will benefit if the HQ is in one of the regions served by the East Coast Main Line because if there is a problem then managers can get to it quickly.

"From York they can get to any point between London and Edinburgh within two hours. Nowhere else in the country will be better from that point of view."

A Department of Transport spokeswoman was unable to confirm how many bids had been submitted for the franchise.