UNION bosses are to hold summit talks with MPs as the fight deepens to preserve jobs, services and safety on two rail franchises operating in the region.

Rail union RMT is desperate to protect services on Northern Rail and TransPennine Express from what it calls a 'co-ordinated attack' from the Government.

The union, which has pledged to mobilise an 'all-out fight' to save jobs and launched a postcard campaign at Durham Miners' Gala at the weekend, will meet with a cross-party group of MPs on Tuesday (July 15).

It claims the Government's plans, which are currently out to consultation, would mean:

* Driver-only operation on the Northern franchise;

* Reduced ticket office opening times;

* Cuts to 'back room' staff;

* Increased fares.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "RMT is hosting a summit meeting with northern MPs, at which we will both lay out the full facts of the Government’s plans for rail in the North and set out what the politicians can do to assist the fight to stop the wholesale destruction of the railways in their own back yards.

“It is sickening that earlier this month we George Osborne parading around, talking about a high-speed rail link in the North that’s light years off, if it ever sees the light of day, while at the same time he is the driving force between real cuts to jobs, services and safety in the region right here, right now.

“The full force of the Government’s cuts programme is to be unleashed on Northern and TransPennine Express in an exercise that would slash jobs, destroy safety and axe ticket offices and other passenger services, while allowing fares and profits to soar through the roof.

"RMT is gearing up for a political, industrial and public campaign to stop this act of savage vandalism to rail services across the north and into Scotland dead in its tracks."

The TransPennine Express franchise, currently operated by First TransPennine Express, runs from Manchester to Newcastle, via Leeds, York, Darlington and Durham.

The Northern franchise, operated by Northern Rail, connects Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle and other North-East locations.

An ongoing consultation on the future of the two franchises runs until August 18.

North-East MPs including Alex Cunningham (Lab, Stockton North) have slammed the proposals.

The Government says the region's rail network will benefit from electrification and upgrades over the next five years.