AN attempt to improve passenger conditions on rush-hour train services across Bolton moved a step closer today.

An application for 10 extra carriages by rail company First North Western has been sent to government rail chiefs.

The bid also includes a dossier of Bolton Evening News articles revealing "cattle truck" conditions endured by passengers, who say more trains are desperately needed.

Rail users have said they are forced to line up nose-to-nose on overcrowded rush-hour carriages every day.

Exclusive BEN pictures are also included in the application.

The Strategic Rail Authority will now consider the application but it could be some time before a decision is made.

If the bid proves successful, the carriages will be installed on rush-hour services along the Bolton Corridor -- serving stations to Manchester and Blackpool.

And today, for the first time, Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly urged the Government to consider the application, and the BEN's articles, carefully before reaching a decision.

Ms Kelly said she had received a number of complaints from passengers in her constituency using the Blackpool-bound train, serving Horwich, Lostock and Blackrod.

Ms Kelly said today: "I am pleased to see that First North Western has responded to these complaints and to the campaign being run by the Bolton Evening News. I hope that the bid for more carriages is successful.

"If it is I will continue to closely monitor the impact the increase in rolling stock has on the problems encountered by passengers at peak times."

The BEN has repeatedly campaigned for carriage conditions to be improved. Peak-time commuters have said extra services will increase their comfort and security.

The campaign has been supported by all three of the town's MPs.

A survey of "crush hour" conditions conducted last year revealed that a 8.11am Bolton to Manchester Victoria train carried a third more passengers than it had seats for.

Later the same day, 80 passengers were forced to stand on a 3.47pm Bolton to Preston train.

Railway watchdog the Rail Passengers Committee (RPC) launched an investigation after the survey -- and concluded extra spaces on Bolton's carriages were needed.

A First North Western spokesman said today: "The application for 10 extra carriages to run on the network has been sent to the SRA. The SRA will now consider it and it will be a bit of a waiting game for now on."