THE re-opening of a four-mile rail link from Bury to Heywood at the weekend could lead to the return of full-scale passenger trains in Rawtenstall, it is hoped.

The Heywood connection now means the East Lancashire Railway can be linked to the national railway network.

Saturday's re-opening was the culmination of a dream that started when ELR volunteers teamed up with Rossendale and Bury councils 21 years ago.

Jon Haines, Rossendale development services manager, said talks had begun to entice rail companies to take out a franchise, meaning diesel trains taking anything up to 1,000 passengers could eventually make a comeback.

Mr Haines said: "All the parties concerned are delighted that things have moved so far. The ELR volunteers will still run steam trains, but any full service will mean diesels.

"Such commercial traffic looks increasingly likely as the Heywood link changes things radically."

Freight trains are also a possibility, although it is thought unlikely that many, if any, would travel into Rossendale.

Coun Nick Pilling, chairman of Rossendale development, regeneration and environmental committee, said: "The council has been part of the partnership that has promoted the railway and has also contributed towards legal costs on the link.

"Such investment will pay us back many times over if commercial trains go ahead."

Work has already started on extending Rawtenstall station's platform to accommodate larger trains, which should be completed by the end of summer.