OLD Pacer trains that are being taken out of service by Northern Rail could find a new use - as cafes, community spaces or even village halls.

After more than three decades of service, the Pacers are being phased out this year and replaced by a fleet of new and refurbished trains across the Northern network.

Now Rail Minister Andrew Jones has called for ideas on how they could be renovated so they can continue to serve communities.

Rail industry partners will launch a competition this summer offering community groups the opportunity to put forward plans to convert a Pacer into a new public space.

Mr Jones said the Pacers, which will be donated by rolling stock company Porterbrook, had been the ‘workhorses’ of the North’s rail network, but had outstayed their welcome. He added: “Through this competition we can ensure that the Pacer can be transformed to serve a community near where it carried passengers in an entirely different way."