A LABOUR peer has been named as president of a group of enthusiasts dedicated to promote the world's first passenger railway line.

Lord Foster of Bishop Auckland has agreed to be president of the 1825 Friends of Stockton and Darlington Railway, which was set up almost a year ago.

Friends' founder member Alan Macnab said the group was 'honoured' to have Lord Foster, the former Bishop Auckland MP, as its president.

Mr Macnab said: "The Friends have carried out extensive work to establish the exact route of the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway with archaeologists and academics who specialise in early railways.

"This has now been completed and we are now considering the next step which is the Conservation Management Plan.

"The plan will take the work of the Friends to the next level towards identifying the line, structures and land ownership along the line and the necessary conservation and preservation work which will be necessary.

"The Friends remain concerned about the Burdon Hill housing development in east Darlington where the access road to this development is proposed to cross the track bed of the 1825 Stockton and Darlington Railway.

"The Friends have submitted strong concerns about the possibility of the access road destroying a significant piece of history to Darlington Borough Council and made a suggestion which will not disturb the track bed."