By Matt Chorley, Mailonline Political Editor PUBLISHED: 03:08 EST, 15 October 2012 | UPDATED: 03:19 EST, 23 October 2012 Sir Richard Branson has been asked to continue running the West Coast Rail Line for another year, as minsters scramble to keep trains moving. In an embarrassing u-turn, the Department for Transport had to plead with Virgin Trains to remain in control of the line for between nine and 13 months despite stripping it of the lucrative franchise in August. Virgin was due to hand over the line to rival First Group on December 9 but ‘significant technical flaws’ in the contract competition were unearthed this month, which saw three civil servants suspended and the deal torn up.
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Virgin boss hails a 'positive day' for his staff as the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin says the public deserve better
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In August Virgin lost the lucrative contract to run Britain's busiest rail line,  which was handed to First Group
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The deal collapsed this month after 'significant flaws' in the bidding process were uncovered, leaving taxpayers with a £100million bill
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With the December 9 deadline looming, the government today asked Virgin to continue running services for up to 13 months
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Chaos sees competitions to run Essex Thameside, Great Western and Thameslink services suspended and two independent reviews launched
Today a @placeholder spokesman said: 'Our customers have made clear they want us to continue our excellent service and we now have the chance to deliver that and offer customers some short-term continuity.