OLD London Underground trains could be used to replace the region's unpopular Pacers, union officials have claimed.

Rail union RMT claims a shortage of rolling stock could mean that old London Underground trains could be brought into service in the North-East.

Chancellor George Osborne used his Autumn Statement to declare that the outdated Pacers would be phased out.

He said the invitations to tender for the Northern franchise would specify that the trains should be replaced.

However, RMT said it had become aware of a proposal to convert London Underground D78 units - that were already 30-years-old and being de-commissioned by LU - into diesels trains for use in the North of England.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “The Government’s whole franchise timetable for the Northern and TransPennine Express routes has descended into chaos.

"We now know that the pledges to replace the clapped out Pacer’s has been exposed as nothing but hot air as the Government strategy for rail across the North unravels before their eyes and that they are also being forced to consider replacing one lash up with another by press-ganging 30-year-old London Underground stock into service raising serious safety issues."

The claims were made this week in the influential Rail Business Intelligence bulletin.

The Department for Transport said it was committed to improving services for passengers across the North and wanted industry to decide how the Pacers should be replaced.

A spokeswoman added: "We recognise that Pacers fall short of passengers’ expectations, which is why we will be specifically requiring bidders for the next Northern franchise to phase these outdated trains out. These bids must include improved rolling stock.

“The industry is best placed to tell us how more modern, better quality trains can be introduced, and it is only right that we look to them as we push ahead with our ambitious plans to transform the North’s rail network.”

Earlier this the Government suggested that Pacers could be modernised, however the idea was rejected by David Cameron who told The Northern Echo bidders for the Northern franchise would be required to propose plans for their removal Pacers.

Last month, rail experts including Julie Mills, rail project director at the Department for Transport (DfT), agreed that the country was woefully short of diesel trains.

Ms Mills said the DfT was already sounding out manufacturers on building replacements, however it is understood it could be years before new trains are brought into service.

The Northern Echo has launched the Right Lines campaign to push for a better rail service for the North-East.