A CAMPAIGN group battling to restore a former railway line is going from strength to strength.

Individual membership of the Skipton-East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) has grown to 540.

The group is spearheading efforts to get the 12-mile Skipton to Colne line, which closed in 1970, reopened.

Backers of the move, which would provide a direct rail route from Keighley into Lancashire, include the town's MP John Grogan.

"The growth in individual membership – including people with an engineering background and experience in the transport industry – reflects the continued support for the reopening of the line," said a SELRAP spokesman.

"It has been a very positive year, which began with the announcement by Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling that he would commit to a full feasibility study into the Skipton to Colne route."

Anyone interested in getting involved in the campaign is invited to attend the group's next open meeting, on January 14.

The meeting takes place at the Earby New Road Community Centre at 7pm.

For more details, visit selrap.org.uk.