Political pressure is growing to extend a reopened railway line to Carlisle.

A motion has been put to a council asking it to back the extension, which supporters believe could have significant financial spin-offs.

Scottish Borders councillor Davie Paterson, who represents Hawick and Hermitage, wants his authority to support moves extend the Borders Railway from current terminus at Tweedbank south to Carlisle.

The extension would reinstate a direct rail link between the Scottish capital and Cumbria.

Mr Paterson's motion stated: "That Scottish Borders Council reaffirms its wholehearted commitment to supporting the extension of the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Hawick and then on to Carlisle via Newcastleton.”

The Borders Railway reopened in 2015.

Since then, there have been calls for it to be extended to Carlisle with campaigners suggesting stops at Newcastleton, Langholm and Longtown.

Mr Paterson has also met with members of Carlisle City Council, which also supports the extension.

"They are very supportive of the plans as well and understand how extending the railway could benefit Newcastleton," he said.

"Taking the railway south to Carlisle will be a big help in reducing the number of timber wagons on the road.

"I've spoken to people who have said that the Borders Railway is getting more passengers than it was first thought and I only think that connecting it to Carlisle will improve on that."

Carlisle City Council leader Colin Glover hopes the Borderlands alliance - bringing together authorities from both sides of the border to tackle common issues - will also help the campaign.

He said: ""An extension of the Borders Railway would bring more trade into Carlisle, for example from Kielder where the railway could be used to transport timber, but also commuters from those communities.

"Likewise it would serve as a link for people in Carlisle and Cumbria that wanted to visit the Scottish Borders area.

"With the Borderlands deal, we know that we could make the area a great place for investment."