Nottinghamshire County Council has commissioned a study to investigate exyending the train line between Shirebrook and Ollerton so an hourly service could run to the three destinations for the first time in many years.

The move was first considered and rejected as uneconomical in 2000 — but it is now thought the train service could be viable.

Ollerton Town Council leader Ben Wells has welcomed the news and said it would provide vital regeneration.

He said: "It would be a good boost for the whole area. So many people would use it if the opportunity was there. I think the surrounding areas would use it as well.

"I can remember the time Ollerton Railway Station was thriving. To get this line back is a step in the right direction.

"I wouldn't like to count my chickens at this stage because it is only a feasibility study. They have done this before and we didn't seem to get anywhere. Hopefully this time there might be some meat to the bone."

Coun Wells added the track was currently being used for training new drivers.

A spokesman for the county council said the study had been commissioned into reopening the line using the existing tracks and the authority was awaiting a final report.

She said: "The former railway station buildings at Warsop and Edwinstowe are still in the ownership of Network Rail.

"These buildings are currently being rented out but there is a possibility that they could be returned to their original use as part of future plans for the line. A new station would need to be constructed in Ollerton."

The new study was commissioned because of the national 50 per cent growth in the use of rail services, new housing and employment developments in Ollerton and reductions in rail industry costs.

The 2000 report found the service would not be economical because it would need two trains — but work to improve the speed of the line could be carried out, so it could run with just one train.