HOPES of bringing a prominent steam locomotive to a museum in Darlington were given a boost yesterday.

Two haulage companies have declared an interest in transporting Blue Peter, one of the country's most famous locomotives, to the town.

Blue Peter would form a showpiece exhibition at the town's North Road Railway Museum.

The venture is an integral part of proposals to make the museum a premier railway heritage site. Plans are already being made to bid for Lottery cash for the museum.

Blue Peter, named after the 1939 Derby winner, is in the custody of the North-East Locomotive Preservation Group and has been based on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for the past ten years.

About £11,500 will be needed to transport the locomotive from Grosmont to Darlington on a low-loader.

John Wilkes, of the museum, said that since the appeal was launched in The Northern Echo on Monday there had been widespread support.

"It is early days, but we've already had two offers from haulage companies, which is very encouraging," he said.

It is hoped to have the locomotive at the museum by the middle of April.

Anyone wanting to pledge support for the project is asked to contact Mr Wilkes at the museum on (01325) 460532.