AMBITIOUS plans for a new railway station serving the county are being supported by Malvern’s MP.

The county council is bidding for £7 million of Government funding to create a Worcester Parkway station at Norton, near the city.

If successful, it would mean Worcestershire will be able to tap into more services to London via Bristol, and access many long-distance cross-country trains that bypass Worcester's stations, although they pass through the county.

If the bid is accepted a planning application would be made in April 2014 and the new station would open by the summer of 2016.

Harriett Baldwin, who has sent the Government a letter supporting the project, said: “Improving the rail infrastructure in West Worcestershire is vitally important for the area’s long-term future.

“I back any plans for improvements to our services, including a Worcester Parkway station.”