Cheshire East's new Deputy Mayor, an Alsager councillor, has thrown his weight behind Crewe's bid to be the home of the Great British Railways.

Cllr Rod Fletcher, who was announced as Cheshire East's new deputy mayor last week, worked in the railway industry for nearly 40 years, including in Crewe.

The Alsager-based councillor believes Crewe is the right place to site the new body being set up by the Government to simplify the railways in Britain.

This new public body will have responsibility for owning Britain's rail infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables.

It will oversee rail transport from 2023 with the exception of Transport for London services and light rail and trams elsewhere in Great Britain and replace Network Rail.

It will also control the contracting of passenger train services, the setting of fares and timetables, and the collection of fare revenue in most of England.

Cllr Fletcher is recovering from a bout of Covid

Crewe has put a bid in for the body to be sited in the town and Cllr Fletcher, who worked in the regional control office and has worked in Manchester and Crewe, says it's the best place for it.

Cllr Fletcher said: "There will still be five regions to look after and what better place to have meetings that in Crewe which is in the centre of them all?

"Crewe would be the ideal place for the new organisation."

Cllr Fletcher, who had Covid so was unable to attend the officially ceremony last week when he was made Deputy Mayor, is taking up duties this week and attending various events.

He has been involved in local politics for many years and says he feels "a bit overwhelmed" but can't wait to begin his duties.

"I will be standing in for the Mayor of Cheshire East when there is more than one appointment on a day and I look forward to meeting volunteers and others all over the county during the next year.

"I am delighted to take up this appointment and feel very honoured."