Cockermouth's railway stations are going to be brought back to life - on a smaller scale.

Model railway enthusiast Andy Snell wants to create a scale model of the town's two stations, freightyard, the multi-span viaduct and tracks.

He is a member of Derwent Railway Society, whose members will be involved. He is also hoping to hear from other people interested in joining in his project.

Once completed, it will be exhibited in the town.

Andy, who lives at Low Seaton, said: "I want to build a replica of the two stations in Cockermouth, one was where the fire station is, the other was near Aldi. There was also a freightyard, which was opposite Aldi car park.

"The railway society has all the historical artefacts from when the line was there - diagrams, signal boxes, station signage. We will buy the track but all the buildings and the viaduct will be hand built.

"We want to make it as authentic as possible. There will be working lights and signals, some of the trains will have sounds, so they'll sound like real steam trains.

"The station closed in 1966, we will do a mixture of very early stock and later stock.

"I'm working on a sound model that will give platform announcements, we can record station stops and times."

He hopes to have it competed by next September.

Andy, 40, is doing a degree in social work and has been involved with model railways for the past six years.

"My grandfather worked for the railway as a metal engineer. My great-great uncle, Oliver Vaughan Snell Bulleid, was a very famous railway designer, a real pioneer of steam engine building.

"From a very young age I have had a real passion for steam engines, as I got older I liked the idea of building."

The model will be built on four foot base boards at the society's rooms in Cleator Moor and Andy's home. The society meets from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Mondays and Thursdays, in The Phoenix Building.

"Being on boards means I can easily transport it in the back of my car. I envisage the final thing being about 12ft long," said Andy.

"I can set up and test it at home, check if there are any wiring problems. The most time consuming part of the build is often the electrics."

Anyone who would like to get involved can email Andy at andysnell38@outlook.com

"It's not just about doing this as a fun hobby, it's also about social history. Railways were the revolution of social mobility," said Andy.