CAMPAIGNERS hoping to see an East Lancashire rail line re-opened have been boosted by a report to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The report, in a briefing from the Rail Passenger Committee (RPC) North West, said the reinstatement of the Colne to Skipton link would end Colne's "perilous existence" as an end station on a branch line.

Mr Prescott met Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to discuss the development of rail services in the North and he asked to be briefed with a report from the RPC North West.

The briefing note included several arguments in favour of re-opening the line linking East Lancashire to West Yorkshire.

It said the reinstatement of the line would improve journey times on a high-demand route from Keighley and Skipton to Manchester, improve access to major cross-country rail routes, ease congestion and had a probably useful role as a freight line.

It added that the link would: "Provide the populous but economically-deprived area of East Lancashire with improved access to the major conurbations of West Yorkshire, ending Colne's perilous existence as a terminus at the end of a long branch line."

The Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership campaigns to protect the track bed from development until the line can be restored.

Chairman Steve Broadbent said: "This further strong support for the re-opening of the Skipton to Colne line is indeed welcome.

"To have our aims brought to the attention of the Deputy Prime Minister as one of the North's leading priorities for rail investment is a major bonus and we are very grateful to the RPC for its continued backing."