Network Rail has announced it is looking for new apprentices to join the company in the north-west and West Midlands.

In total, 27 places are available in these areas, just part of over 220 vacancies that exist nationwide. The courses will be mainly based at the company's engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire but will also offer students the opportunity to work on the front line during their second year.

12 places are available in the north-west, in Carlisle, Manchester and Liverpool. Meanwhile, 15 vacancies exist in Birmingham, Nuneaton, Rugby, Sandwell and Dudley, Saltley, Stafford and Stourbridge.

Michelle Palin, leader of the Network Rail recruitment scheme, claimed that now is the right time to consider working in the railway as it is undergoing multi-million pounds worth of improvements. She added: "We need more highly skilled people to help us meet the challenges of a busier network and focus on improving the reliability of the railway."

Network Rail has trained 1,050 apprentices since 2005 and has a further 600 who are currently on the course.