Virgin Trains is claiming a speed record for one of its much heralded tilting trains travelling between London and Manchester.

The Pendolino train - named the City of Manchester - took two hours and ten minutes when it arrived at Piccadilly on Monday.

The company claim the time knocks two minutes off the old record between London Euston and Piccadilly along the Crewe route.

But the train did not tilt during the journey - it cannot use the new technology until a multi-million pound upgrade is completed.

"Shrinking journeys"

Virgin Trains chief Chris Green said: "Today's demonstration run has shown the Pendolino shrinking the time from London to Manchester."

He said 2003 would be "the year of the Pendolino", adding that the first of the old trains on the line would be withdrawn from service next month.

The average speed during the journey was 87.25 mph.

The current maximum speed for the trains is 110mph because of the condition of the track.

Pendolinos can travel at up to 140mph, but they will only be able to reach speeds of 125mph on the West Coast mainline.