The platform of Newent' s old railway station could be welcoming narrowboats instead of trains.

The Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust has drawn up plans to restore the canal and create a "completely unique" site where the waterway will run between the platforms of the station.

The original Gloucester to Hereford canal predates the railway, which was built on the same route after the waterway had been closed and filled in during the 1880s.

In time the trust aims to restore the entire 34-mile canal route between Gloucester and Hereford.

Commercial director of the canal trust David Penny said once the project was completed it could create up to 400 jobs and attract as much as £20 million into the local economies along its route.

"We expect to be able to launch a public consultation early next year," he said.

"To have a canal between railway platforms will be completely unique.

"The canal would be entirely tourism focused as it is not viable to use small waterways for freight traffic anymore

"We've already completed work in the area, including the restoration of a Grade II listed lock and nearby aqueduct.

"If we hadn't have carried out the work at the aqueduct and lock would have collapsed."

The buildings at the railway station have long since been demolished and the platforms are currently overgrown.

"You wouldn't recognise that it was ever a railway station at the moment," said Brian Fox, one of the directors of the canal trust.

Trust members are currently looking to gather support from the town council for the project.

The Newent Railway Station was a stop on the Ledbury and Gloucester line which opened in 1885.

The line was closed for passengers trains in 1959 but freight traffic continued until 1964.