STEAM railway enthusiasts based at Winchcombe are combing the country in the hunt for a station to replace the one at Broadway demolished in the 1960s and restore the town's rail links to Cheltenham.

Volunteers from the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway have already drawn up a list of disused station buildings, but they may not have to go very far as their list includes the old station at Bourton which dates back to the 1930s.

Plans to restore the line from Winchcombe to Broadway are well underway, and volunteers will be starting work at the old station site there on Saturday to clear the tracks.

The enterprising rail enthusiasts have already secured a replacement signal box and visitor centre for Broadway in the form of a grade two listed building from Exminster in Devon. The group got special permission to dismantle the building, which is being stored at Winchcombe.

"Restoring Broadway Station is a monumental task but we are determined to recapture its atmosphere," said GWR spokesman Ian Crowder. "We've been looking at buildings near and far and we have considered Bourton, which is built of Cotswold stone.

"Whichever station we buy, we will have to meticulously draw and photograph it before carefully dismantling it, packing it up and transporting it.

"It's impossible to say how much it will all cost, but we are applying for a Lottery grant to help us. All our work is voluntary, but we are spending £40,000 on getting contractors to replace the bridge over the B4632 near Stanway.

"Our line has already reached two miles north of Toddington, and we have enough track to reach Broadway. It could be there in two to three years, but there is a lot of work to be done.

"The best way people can help is by using the railway from Winchcombe to Cheltenham and buying a £10 ticket. They can also become a member, or even a shareholder for £100. We always welcome more volunteers. We were very encouraged by the meeting at Broadway two weeks ago which showed considerable support for the rail restoration."