TRANSPORT bosses in Manchester lobbied politicians at the Conservative Party Conference this week in a bid to gain support for the proposed expansion of the Metrolink system.

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority had already held fringe meetings at both the Liberal Democrat and Labour party conferences as part of their Get Our Metrolink Back On Track campaign.

The campaign aims to get the Government to reconsider its decision not to fund the £400 million expansion of Metrolink.

A host of North-west MPs, including Bolton MP David Crausby, have called on Tony Blair to finance the project.

Transport chiefs believe the meetings have been a great success, with many politicians from all parties attending.

Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of the GMPTA, said: "I've been pleased at the levels of support for both Metrolink and light rail in general."

Councillor Doreen Dickinson, Conservative group leader, said: "It's rare that an issue unites political parties in the way the Metrolink expansion project has."

"The Conservative group on the Authority is fully behind Metrolink and we will continue to work in partnership until we reach a positive outcome. The cost to Greater Manchester if Metrolink does not go ahead is too great."

"It's clear to everyone that the costs of light rail schemes cannot be allowed to escalate out of proportion to the benefits. That is why we want to work with the Metrolink bidders and government to reduce costs.