A CAMPAIGN to restore rail links between Skipton and Colne is set to move up a gear following a £3,000 grant.

The Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) plans to use the cash to buy computer equipment for its publicity campaign.

The funding has been provided by the Pendle Community Network from the Community Chest Fund of the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, run by the Government Office for the North West, which aims to support community groups in deprived areas.

SELRAP, which is backed by environmental groups as well as MPs and MEPs from all three main parties on both sides of the Pennines, campaigns to safeguard the 11-mile track bed between Colne and Skipton - closed during the Beeching cuts in the 1960s - until it can be reopened.

Members are currently finding new ways to assess the demand for a reinstated service, which would create a direct link from Leeds or Bradford to Colne, Burnley and Blackburn.

Chairman Steve Broadbent said: "The grant will totally transform the way we are able to operate. Firstly, we can equip our membership secretary with computer equipment and internet access to speed up the increasing amount of work that he does.

"Next, we plan on increasing our publicity effort, especially providing more supporting literature and better display stands for exhibitions.

"But even with those major items under our belt there will still be money left over and the committee will be discussing over the coming months how to spend every penny, and we will certainly need it as our future strategy unfolds.

"We are grateful to the Pendle Community Network for agreeing the grant and we look forward to working closely with them in the future."