EAST Lancashire's heritage railway line is hoping for a first-class response to its bid to bring 200,000 visitors.

Plans are being drawn up by East Lancashire Railways for a ‘rail ale trail’, which should provide a boost for hostelries in Rawtenstall, Irwell Vale, Summerseat and Ramsbottom.

And the prospect of audio guides, which would benefit tourists and the visually impaired, are also being discussed.

The moves come as councillors redouble their efforts to ensure a permanent rail link between the valley and Manchester city centre is not forgotten.

Coun Anne Cheetham said recent discussions between Pennine Lancashire leaders had focused too heavily on the restoration of the Todmorden Curve to improve rail services in Burnley and Pendle.

She said: “I was a little taken aback by the lack of enthusiasm for the rail link.

"We may be a rural borough, but we have many people here who work in the Manchester conurbation.”

County and borough councillor Peter Steen said: “There are five county councillors who are very vociferous with regards to the East Lancashire rail link to Manchester.”

The heritage railway attracts 107,000 visitors and scored a coup when it hosted the birthday celebrations of Edenfield’s Coronation Street star Anthony Cotton last year.

Support has been secured by Rossendale, Bury and Rochdale councils, and the European Regional Development Fund, through Visit Manchester, to explore a number of tourism initiatives for the Rawtenstall to Heywood route.