THE Foreign Secretary has been urged to support a bid to bring train-building back to the region.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson has written to William Hague asking him to add his name to the list of 29 North-East MPs signed up to the Back on Track campaign, which aims to encourage the Government to award the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to Hitachi.

The Japanese manufacturer has indicated it would assemble the country’s next generation of high-speed trains at a purpose-built factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

Mr Wilson said in the letter to the Richmond MP: “As a neighbouring MP, I ask you to support the campaign and add your name to those calling for the IEP to go ahead in Newton Aycliffe. More particularly, I ask for your support in your capacity as Foreign Secretary.

“You have already, quite rightly, highlighted the new emphasis the Foreign Office will be giving to directly support the UK economy by securing new business opportunities and putting diplomatic weight behind British enterprise, as well as helping to bring Japanese investors to Britain.”

A spokesman for William Hague’s office said yesterday that the letter had been received.