Rail careers could benefit the UK's economy in the long-term - and a proposed academy focused on this sector would be even more beneficial.

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This is according to Robert Hough, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NRDA) chairman, who spoke as part of a campaign to obtain government backing for a skills facility for railway engineering.

According to the NRDA, which is part of a consortium to have submitted an expression of interest for the site, Crewe's rich rail heritage makes it a potentially ideal location for the National Skills Academy.

Mr Hough emphasised that standards and quality in essential industries must be maintained - and the creation of a new learning option for the rail industry could be crucial.

"The future success of the regional economy is dependent on a number of factors, including the development of industries that will create employment opportunities for a number of years and contain specialist engineering expertise," he said.

The NRDA is one of nine developmental agencies in England.