A call has been made for a new station to be built at Moira as part of the new Ivanhoe Line scheme.

Network Rail announced in September that plans were in place for the route to be re-opened.

The first phase would run from Coalville to Derby, via Ashby.

But despite early indications that there would be a station at Moira, nothing has been scheduled so far.

Stations for Ashby, Coalville and Castle Gresley are on the agenda, but Cllr Andrew Woodman questioned the absence of a Moira station.

He was speaking as part of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat motion to urge National Rail to take the line to Leicester, from Coalville, as per the original route.

But Cllr Woodman, representing Blackfordby Ward on North West Leicestershire District Council, also said a station at Moira should be built.

He told councillors at Tuesday's North West Leicestershire District Council full council meeting: "The revival of this railway line is something that's I've worked on for many years.

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"It's great to see the progress that's now being made, and it's great to see the work the Campaign to Re-open the Ivanhoe Line has done.

"The line should run fully to Leicester, it would be a huge boon to our district.

"But the option of a station at Moira has been part of the plans that were revived in the early 1990s.

"The 2009 Rail Delivery Group published a proposal which included a station at Moira.

"So it's of great concern to see that, after the first phase announcement, there was no mention of a station for the village.

"The benefits of a station here would not only be for Moira, but for the many other villages within walking and cycling distance.

"In addition, it would have a significant tourism benefit, allowing easy access to Conkers, Hicks Lodge and the wider National Forest.

"I therefore believe the feasibility of a station and Moira should be considered and incorporated into the scheme.

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"Myself and Cllr Doug Cooper have sent a joint email to National Rail to make our position clear on this as local councillors, and we have asked for detailed data as to why it is not choosing to proceed with this at the moment."