TRAIN guard Christopher McGee who was convicted of causing the death of a teenager has officially lodged an appeal against his jail term.

The family of Christopher McGee, who was handed a five-year prison sentence in November after he was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence, revealed this week that he planned to appeal the length of his sentence.

The 45-year-old was on duty when Georgia Varley, 16, fell under a train at James Street station in October, 2011.

Liverpool Crown Court heard McGee, of Wallasey, gave the signal for the train to move off from the platform when Georgia was leaning on the window.

The New Brighton teen, who was described in court as “very drunk”, lost her balance and fell and was killed instantly.

Yesterday, officials at the Court of Appeal in London confirmed they had received McGee’s appeal.

No hearing date has yet been fixed but it is expected to be heard in the capital and McGee’s family will travel down to support him.

Sister Lisa Griffiths said: “We are very grateful to everyone who has supported Chris.

“He is not appealing his conviction, just the sentence, which we and many people feel is way too harsh.”

Thousands of people signed an online petition set up in support of the guard, who was told by Justice Holroyde, the judge who oversaw his trial, that he had shown “an appalling disregard” for Georgia’s safety.

The youngster had been celebrating her friend’s 18th birthday at a house party in Hoylake before getting the last train from West Kirby to Liverpool.

She got off a stop too early and CCTV played in court showed her leaning against the carriage window .

McGee’s family said he was left “a broken man” after the incident and was badly traumatised.