A LEADING Bolton councillor has branded train operator First North Western's service "a disaster" in a scathing attack.

Guy Harkin, deputy chairman of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, was unequivocal in his criticism of the company which operates Bolton to Manchester services.

His comments will come as a blow to the private rail firm as they attempt to cling on to their franchise to run trains in the North-west.

Cllr Harkin, the deputy leader of Bolton council, told a council meeting: "The current franchise has been a disaster as the PTA told the Government it would be a disaster because it took so many people out of the system that it couldn't work.

"It's a matter of public record that we told the public this franchisee was not capable of doing the job.

"They can just about run the trains but little things like telling people when they run or selling tickets they can't manage."

First North Western managing director David Franks confessed the firm's service was "stretched to the limits" when he met disgruntled rail users at Bolton station in September.

The BEN then revealed that watchdog the Rail Passengers' Committee had described commuter trains between Bolton and Manchester as so crowded they were like "cattle trucks."

Now there are suggestions that First North Western could risk emulating Connex South Western which last month became the first rail operator to be stripped of its franchise. Regulators blamed its poor performance.

Other operators have been warned to get their acts together or risk a similar fate. The Government's Shadow Strategic Rail Authority expects to replace most of 18 train company franchises which would otherwise expire by 2004.

Operators chosen will be offered longer contracts of 10 to 20 years in exchange for guarantees of better performance and improved safety.