Network Rail (NR) arranged for the 12 mechanical engineers to be flown into the UK to restore and maintain five Victorian signal boxes in Stockport.

It said it was needed to ensure the �8bn West Coast Mainline upgrade was completed on time.

MP Louise Ellman called it: "A very sad... state of affairs."

The Indian engineers have been in the UK for three weeks and are working alongside UK staff.

We need to take drastic action so we can provide the railways with the level of expertise they need Louise Ellman, MP

They are due to fly home this weekend.

NR, which refused to comment on how much it had cost to fly them in, said: "Due to a shortage of specialist mechanical engineers in the UK, NR sourced the best possible staff available to carry out the job. In this case, they were from India."

"NR and the rail industry are carrying out many initiatives to address the skill shortage including the setting up of a foundation degree in railway engineering, apprenticeship schemes and a graduate training scheme."

But Ms Ellman, who sits on the House of Commons Transport Committee and is MP for Liverpool Riverside, said it was "a very sad commentary of the state of affairs in the UK."