Metro has welcomed news that the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) aims to approve an application by train operator Grand Union to run three return services per day between London and Bradford Interchange via Pontefract Monkhill, Wakefield Kirkgate, Brighouse and Halifax.

"The introduction of three additional trains each way providing Bradford, Brighouse, Halifax, Pontefract and Wakefield with direct links to London Kings Cross is very good news for West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region," said Metro Chairman Councillor Chris Greaves.

"Metro has supported these proposals which will bring economic and social benefits and create a number of new jobs in the area," he continued.

"We now hope that the ORR will also be able to approve proposals by National Express to run more direct trains beyond Leeds, which would bring even further benefits."

The company behind the Grand Union proposals also runs high speed direct train services, as Grand Central, between London and the North East, .

National Express already runs train services between West Yorkshire and London Kings Cross.

Find out more about Grand Union

Details of National Expres East Coast services.