CARNFORTH'S famous railway station is on the right track for a face lift - with a little help from the locals. Members of the Carnforth Railway Station charity trust have commissioned plans to restore the landmark to its former glory based around the classic film Brief Encounter. The proposals are expected to turn the unmanned railway into a thriving focal point for the town.

The platform of better things to come include:

A Heritage and Cultural Centre to reflect Carnforth's industrial past

Several shops

A themed restaurant with an interior based on the original 1930s refreshment room in Brief Encounter

Memorabilia Centre, next to the restaurant, with Brief Encounter souvenirs

Fred Ayres of Action Learning Limited which is part of the consortium carrying out the feasibility study, said they wanted to hear the views of Carnforth people.

He said: "The concept is to restore and refurbish the buildings and locations used in the film. We want to know the degree of support for the project and what facilities people would like to see the Cultural Centre provide for the benefit of the community."

The consortium is due to present its report at the end of May.

Send your views to Fred Ayres, Action Learning Ltd, High Tarn, Aughton, near Lancaster, LA2 8LU.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.