Avanti West Coast to be renationalised in March as ministers float public ownership of new trains

Andy Burnham hails nationalisation of much-criticised service between London, Birmingham and Glasgow

Britain's biggest intercity rail operator, Avanti West Coast, will be renationalised in spring, ministers have announced, while new trains could also be publicly owned under plans to reduce costs paid to private firms.

Avanti, which has been one of the worst rail firms in the country for train delays and cancellations, will come under public ownership from 7 March when its contract ends.