HUNDREDS of campaigners are expected to descend on Blackpool Town Hall tomorrow (April 12) for a rail service rally.

The meeting - organised by the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union - is part of a drive to boost rail services to Blackpool and halt privatisation.

Jimmy Knapp, general secretary of the RMT, and Gordon Marsden, prospective Labour candidate for Blackpool South, will be among the main speakers at the event.

Local political figures such as George Bancroft, the deputy leader of Blackpool Borough Council, are also expected to attend, as are Nick Hawkins, MP for Blackpool South, and Labour transport spokeswoman Clare Short MP.

The campaign so far has included a petition, leaflets and audits of rail facilities.

James Sorah, president of the North West Council of the RMT, said: "Blackpool is a major resort which needs its InterCity services and the long overdue upgrading of the West Coast line.

"We are doing all we can to fight privatisation which can only threaten services to the public and workers' jobs."

Councillor Bancroft added: "The aim of the meeting is to try to convince our MPs to do a U-turn on the privatisation of rail services.

"We want to see the electrification of the line from Blackpool to Manchester so we have an integrated service.

"Through privatisation the Government is fragmenting the rail service, which is not the way forward."

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at the Town Hall and admission is free.

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