NORTHUMBRIAN Water has become the latest North-East organisation to put its weight behind the Back on Track campaign.

The utility company joins a growing number of groups hoping for Hitachi to be awarded the Intercity Express Programme.

The Japanese manufacturer has already indicated that it would build a factory to assemble a new generation of high-speed trains at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, if it secured the contract.

Northumbrian Water’s chief executive, Heidi Mottram, said: “If successful, the bid to bring the Intercity Express Programme to County Durham will undoubtedly generate huge economic and social benefits, which will be fantastic for the North-East.

“What a privilege it would be for us to manufacture the next generation of trains for our country’s rail network.

“The rail industry is close to my heart and I know the impact this will have on them, as well as companies like Northumbrian Water. Let’s hope the decision is in our favour.”

The Northern Echo has joined union, business and political leaders in the region to launch the Back on Track campaign, which is pushing for Hitachi to come to the region.

Organisations that support the campaign should email their logos to newdesk @nne.co.uk Logos will be displayed at northernecho.co.uk/news/ campaigns/backontrack and used in the paper.