THE man in charge of celebrating a town's heritage has hit back at claims that its world-renowned railway history is being ignored.

Reuben Kench, the head of culture and leisure at Stockton Borough Council, responded to arguments by Robert Harbron, chairman of the Norton Heritage Society, that the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway was not being properly commemorated.

Mr Harbron said a greater focus on the town's history would help its struggling High Street.

But Mr Kench listed a number of existing projects and revealed new plans including: The development of a roadside feature adjacent to the 1825 Way on the approach to the quayside. The feature, yet to be designed, would be close to 48 Bridge Road, the building used as an administrative office for the original railway; A major display at Preston ParkMuseum, in Eaglescliffe, as part of the museum's £7m refurbishment; Greater recognition of the line of the original railway at the boundary of Preston Park; The possibility of creating a working scale model of Locomotion No 1 at Preston Park.

Mr Kench also revealed that a private property developer was working with Tees Archaeology to uncover original features of the railway.

The developer hopes to illustrate the railway area in a future display.

The heritage officer, who also pointed to a mural to the railway in the town unveiled in 2006, said: "Bob Harbron is passionate about our railway heritage and I certainly have no criticism of that.

"But I would suggest that the assertion that we are not working on and with our heritage is not fair."

In a letter to The Northern Echo, Mr Harbron said: "Had Stockton council not ignored its unique place in transport history, I believe the High Street would be thriving, not struggling."

He also suggested a railway heritage centre on the river front, near the replica Whitby collier, recreating the original Locomotion No 1 for tourists to ride, and active workshops at Thornaby's derelict motive power yard.

"Can we have less indifference and promote our heritage as The Town That Changed the World, " he said.