PLANS to improve Burnley's rail links with Manchester are still on track despite Blackburn announcing a similar scheme, according to the borough's council leader.

Coun Gordon Birtwistle said regeneration bosses were still forging ahead with the re-opening of the Todmorden curve which would allow direct services to run between Burnley and Manchester.

The news comes after Blackburn with Darwen Council unveiled an £8million bid to the Department of Transport and Network Rail to upgrade the Blackburn to Manchester line.

The proposals, backed by MP Jack Straw - who has been lobbying the government for months for the cash - would allow half-hourly trains to run throughout the day.

However, Coun Birtwistle said: "Our priority is to do the Todmorden curve and I hope it will not be jeopardised by Blackburn with Darwen.

"If they build it we will still be pushing for the Todmorden curve because the whole economy of Burnley depends on improving links with Manchester to get visitors to the town and let people live in Burnley and work in Manchester. We are pushing for it and I am sure the county council will still support it."

Former Manchester music mogul Anthony Wilson and his partner Yvette Livesey have included the reopening of the railway line as part of the Elevate programme.

The couple, who said re-laying the track could cost just £600,000, have included the Todmorden curve on a list of major leisure and tourism projects which could be realistically delivered in the next few years.