IMPROVEMENTS to one of the region's key railway stations, valued at about £1m, has got under way.

Passengers at York station will see a number of changes over coming months as part of an investment programme by train company GNER.

It began yesterday with work to revamp the travel centre in the station concourse, marked by York MP Hugh Bayley.

The centre, which will remain open while refurbishment work continues until the end of the year, will eventually incorporate nine counters to buy tickets from, one of which will be height adjustable for wheelchair users.

Work on new passenger lounges, toilets, customer information screens, a footbridge, subway and improved security, will start shortly and will also be complete by the end of the year.

Mr Bayley said: "The work will really improve the station for everyone who uses it regularly, and I hope it will make travelling by train even more attractive to others who do not."

GNER chief executive Christopher Garnett said: "This is a further sign of GNER's continuing commitment to improve facilities and services for our customers."

More than 60 services operate to and from York, carrying tens of thousands of passengers daily. GNER is spending £10m modernising facilities at stations along the East Coast Main Line.