A new dedicated platform could be created at Stoke Station if the Leek to Stoke railway line is reopened, local MPs have said after giving an update on the campaign's progress.

Staffordshire Moorlands MP Karen Bradley and Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton are among those backing the reopening, and recently held a virtual meeting with local councillors to let them know what progress was being made.

The pair say "viable options exist for a commercial service" between Leek and Stoke, and that they are currently waiting for Network Rail to deliver "detailed engineering and infrastructure reports".

They added that a new, dedicated platform for the service would likely be added in Stoke "to keep everything running as smoothly as possible".

The service between the two stations hasn't been running since 1956, and Leek's station closed completely over 50 years ago.

Last year, a £50,000 feasibility study into reopening the line was commissioned.

You can read the full statement from the two local MPs below:

"We are delighted as sponsor MPs for this project, at the quality of the analysis as we continue to build the case for reopening the line to public transport use.

"It is clear that viable options exist for a commercial service that can be more fully explored if we make it through to the next round of Restoring Your Railway - alongside Meir Station - when Network Rail would deliver detailed engineering and infrastructure reports.

"The existing connection to the mainline at Glebe Street junction can be retained but with a new, dedicated Stoke-Leek platform likely to be added to keep everything running as smoothly as possible through Stoke Station.

"There is a unique chance to win central funding for a transformational levelling up transport project and we are determined to win it for North Staffordshire rather than see the money be spent somewhere else.

"We look forward to continuing to hear from residents and businesses about their hopes for the line and hopefully to being able to allay any remaining fears. Our turn for national rail investment is well overdue."