Councillors have been told that work is under way to identify sites for new stations to serve the proposed re-opening of the Ivanhoe Line.

Progress has been made to bring passenger trains back to the Burton to Leicester route - which includes Ashby and Coalville - and work could start in less than two years time.

Services could be up and running by 2026.

But, so far, there has been no indication of where any stations would be.

Coalville could, potentially, be served by the former indoor market site - although that has also been earmarked as a possible cinema development.

Ashby has no obvious area - the former station is now used by companies as office space.

There would also be stations in Moira and Bagworth among other places.

The issue was this week's meeting of the North West Leicestershire District Council Local Plan Committee meeting.

Councillor Dave Bigby said: "There's been a lot of talk about the Ivanhoe Line in the Local Plan report.

"Is it not time that we begin to identify sites for stations?

"I worry that we get to the stage where it is actually funded, then we say: 'We can't find a station site in the middle of towns as they've all been built on or are being used for other purposes.

"I know it's difficult, as most land is privately owned.

"But the council does own some sites which could be considered for preserving to ensure we do have adequate sites for stations when we need them."

Council officer Ian Nelson responded by saying: "In terms of the issues of stations, the problem we have there is that, until something has actually been put forward, there's a risk of what we would call blight.

"If we were to identify a site, and it's in private ownership, it then blights it and the landowner can claim against the council for compensation.

"That said, there is work taking place, as I'm sure you're aware, we are starting to look at the issue of station sites.

"It may well be something that, by the time the Local Plan moves forward, we would be in a position to identify sites for new stations."

Councillors were also shown the council's infrastructure delivery plan which highlighted support for the return of the Ivanhoe Line.

The report says: "North West Leicestershire is the largest local authority area (by population) on the UK mainland without any form of passenger rail service within it.

"Proposals are gradually advancing to re-open the Ivanhoe Line through Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Moira, which would make a significant further contribution to modal shift.

"The Local Plan should support this reopening in conjunction with Leicestershire County Council and Network Rail.

"Depending on the progress of the reopening proposals between now and the publication of the Regulation 19 Local Plan, it may also be beneficial for new development to be directed to locations where it would benefit from direct access to new rail services."