Local MPs submitted a bid to restore the Stoke to Leek railway line this weekend.

The bid was submitted by Moorlands MP Karen Bradley, as well as Stoke North MP Jonathan Gullis and Stoke Central MP Jo Gideon to the Restoring Your Railway fund on Saturday.

It comes after a petition to restore the line was signed by over 1,000 residents and presented to the House of Commons in December.

Jonathan Gullis gave an update on the campaign to re-open the line over the weekend.

He said: "Having run a petition which secured the backing of over 1,000 residents, we have submitted an outline proposal as to why the line should re-open, and the economic benefits it will bring to North Staffordshire.

"The re-opening of the line would benefit the whole of Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire, connecting Leek up with Stoke Station and it will help level-up North Staffordshire.

"Rail connectivity is crucial if we are to improve public transport locally. The re-opening of the line will not happen overnight, but we are heading in the right direction to get our case heard by government; giving us the best chance to turn it into a reality.

"I can tell how enthused Ministers are with the proposals each time I have met with them, pushing the benefits the line would bring to Norton, Milton and Stockton Brook!

"We hope to hear back in the summer, so I will be busy lobbying the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, and the Minister for Rail, Chris Heaton-Harris MP."