CAMPAIGNERS are hoping to breathe new life into one of the oldest stations on the Wensleydale railway.

The Wensleydale Railway Association bought Leeming Bar station, on the remaining 22-mile line between Northallerton and Redmire, from its private owners two years ago for use as offices and as a base for its fleet of buses.

Now Wensleydale Railway plc, which took over the assets of the WRC in 2000, is waiting for Hambleton councillors to make a decision on plans for redevelopment of the station.

Leeming Bar was the original terminus in 1848, and Wensleydale Railway plc wants to convert the station buildings back to their original use in preparation for limited passenger train services which, it is hoped, can start in the summer between Leeming Bar and Leyburn.

Listed building consent is being sought for alterations to accommodate offices, space for staff, a ticket office and a shop.

There would be a new pedestrian entrance, parking spaces for customers including the disabled and reinstatement and extension of the platform to modern standards.

Visitors would board trains at Leeming Bar and would be met at Leyburn by WRC buses, enabling them to spend a day in the Dales without their cars.

Redevelopment plans are also in hand for Leyburn station, on which the WRC took out a 99-year lease and where new toilets and platform restoration is proposed.

Scott Handley, chief executive of Wensleydale Railway plc, said: "We are waiting for Railtrack formally to hand over the existing track to us, something which should happen within the next two or three months.

"We have submitted the planning applications now so that we are in a position to start work on the stations as soon as possible.

"We could always consider something temporary if necessary, but it would be better to have the right facilities in place from the outset."

The Leeming Bar plans will be considered next week by Aiskew Parish Council.