MPs have called on rail bosses not to axe guards from North-East services amid fears of driver-only trains being introduced.

An early day motion (EDM) submitted to Parliament points out that the role of guard/conductor is not protected in the proposed new franchise agreement for the Northern Rail service.

Unions and passenger groups fear driver-only trains could be introduced by the operator which wins the contract in a bid to save money.

The early day motion was proposed by Wansbeck MP Ian Lavery, while Gateshead MP Ian Mearns was the primary sponsor.

Mr Mearns said the EDM highlighting concerns that passenger safety could be reduced if driver-only trains were introduced.

He added: "We as MPs have got to think about our constituencies and if there's an opportunity to make their lives safer I think we have to do that.

"In the North-East we are so poorly served by our transport infrastructure - we've probably got the most expensive fares in Europe and the worst service. It's important that what little resources are available are spent on improving things."

The Northern local authorities and staffing of trains EDM states: "Despite big increases in passenger numbers and the objections of a number of local authorities in the North, the proposed new franchise agreement will not maintain the role of the guard/conductor on Northern Rail services and therefore weakens the protection for passengers."

It adds that 30 Northern councils which have come together with the Department for Transport and others to form umbrella organisation Rail North have a "key role in overseeing and improving the franchise".

It urges Rail North to protect rail jobs and passenger safety by retaining the role of the guard/conductor, as well as keeping ticket offices open and ensuring proper staffing at stations.

Commenting on the EDM, David Sidebottom, passenger director of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Passengers value the presence of staff because it makes them feel safer and find it useful when they need help and information, particularly when services are disrupted."

"Any changes to the way staff are deployed need to take this into account.”

Bids to run the Northern Rail franchise must be submitted by June 26, with the contract due to be awarded in late 2015.

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