Building giants Story Contracting have been given permission to test specialist rail vehicles in Carlisle.

The firm submitted an application to the city council to lay test tracks at its site on the Burgh Road Industrial Estate, having previously been granted planning permission to use it as a storage area.

In its plans, Story said that four test tracks would be laid enabling it to carry out tasks such as brake testing and machine handling. The tracks will be used between 15 and 20 hours a week.

It added that machines would make their way to the track on tyres before switching to rail runners.

The training courses would be for Story Rail operatives and apprentices to familiarise themselves with the machines and gain a competency certificate, with each course running for three weeks, mainly based in classrooms.

Supporting the application, Nigel Christian, Tory councillor for Dalston, said he was aware a lot of rail work took place at night.

He queried whether Story was likely to want to vary conditions - meaning there was a possibility that noise could be made night - at a later date.

A report by planning officer Angus Hutchinson concluded: "It is considered the proposal will not have an adverse impact on the living conditions of the occupiers of any neighbouring properties or archaeology, and not increase flood risk within or adjacent to the site."

Hugh McDevitt, Labour councillor for Denton Holme, also gave the application his backing.

He said: "I think this is a great application, it's creating jobs for Carlisle."