Yes, I also applied and got offered an interview in Newcastle, Tuesday 7/1/2014 (believe interviews were been held Monday and Tuesday last week). If successful you would have been sent for a second assessment involving the usual ticket checks/roleplay etc at the end of January. The email stated that the start date was the 11th Match and could not be altered and if you could not make that start date to withdraw your application.
Unfortunately I had to withdraw as the email was sent to me on the 30/12/2013 and if I had got through the interview and then the second assessment this would have taken me into early February and I have to give 8 weeks notice in my present job (due to over 20 years length of service).
This would have made the start date of 11/3/2014 impossible for me. I did send an email to First Group apologising but didn't get a reply.
Very disappointed as applied twice in the past 3 years and never got that far before !!