The race for the region's second biggest rail franchise could be delayed yet again it emerged last night.

It was thought an announcement on who will run the Trans Pennine Express franchise was to be made by the end of the month.

But last night a spokesman for the Strategic Rail Authority suggested the timetable for the announcement had been extended. He said: "It will be in the next four to eight weeks."

Any further delay is likely to anger bidders Connex and the consortium of First Group and French based Keolis as well as interested passenger groups.

It will also put back the date for the start of the franchise which at the moment is likely to be early next year.

Peter Johnson, secretary of the Trans Pennine Local Authority Rail Group, said the SRA had a "track record of not keeping to any of its deadlines".

He said that if an announcement was not made this week before the parliament breaks up for its summer recess it could be delayed until MPs return in September.

Speculation has mounted that Connex -- stripped earlier this month of its southern services by the SRA for financial incompetence -- is in pole position to win Trans Pennine.

But equally some sources have suggested that following the SRA's scathing attack on Connex it has been forced to hastily backtrack on a decision to award the company the franchise for fear of a backlash from northern rail groups and commuters.

Trans Pennine links Newcastle, York and Leeds with Manchester and Liverpool and is currently run by Arriva Trains Northern.