The potential for Carlisle's Citadel Railway Station to become a catalyst for economic growth was top of the agenda at a meeting organised by the city's MP John Stevenson.

The politician was recently named as the figurehead for the Government's Borderlands Growth Deal, which aims to stimulate economic growth and prosperity across the borders region.

Politicians across the region hope that by working together on issues that affect the entire region - such as infrastructure and tourism - they can take the economies to a new level.

And Mr Stevenson believes the full potential of the area around Carlisle’s railway station has yet to be achieved - and believes the Borderlands project could be the key to unlocking that potential.

To stimulate new ideas, the MP last week met local stakeholders to discuss potential growth opportunities - including ways in which the Borderlands project could benefit the station and the surrounding area.

Mr Stevenson said: “Carlisle Citadel Station is already an important logistical point in Cumbria, west Northumberland, and the Scottish Borders.

"However, I believe the station has the potential to become even more than it is now, and the Borderlands Growth Deal could be the opportunity to achieve this.

“We were given this opportunity by the Government when the Chancellor announced the Borderlands Growth Deal in last year’s Autumn Statement, but it is now up to us to provide the Government with shovel ready projects they can invest in.

"This is not just about transport," he continued. "The Citadel Station is a transport hub and therefore it's important it functions properly, but there are also opportunities to develop the area around the station, turning it into a commercial and retail centre.

"This is a better opportunity because it's potentially part of a Borderlands strategy that ecompasses the region. We're at an early stage. Nevertheless, it could be one of the central plants of the growth deal."

The breakfast meeting - held in Wetheral last week - included several key players, including local councils, Cumbria Tourism, and prominent private sector partners such as the Cumberland Building Society.

The discussions aimed to generate ideas that could feed into the Borderlands initiative and hopefully attract support funding.

Mr Stevenson added: "We're at the start of a journey."