Hopes that the railway line between King's Lynn and Hunstanton could be re-opened have been dealt a further blow.

Network rail has already stated the line would not attract enough passengers to justify the cost of replacing track and buildings, which were removed after the branch was closed in the late 1960s.

Now West Norfolk council has written to Hunstanton Town Council, to clarify the line's status in the local plan and explain why itn will, not be protecting the remainder of the route from development.

'There are a number of examples on this disused route where the trackbeds have been built upon or very close to, which clearly limits any potential redevelopment of these in the future, particularly for rail use,' the letter says.

'It was determined that it would be extremely costly to bring back this railway line into use, and there was little likelihood of this coming forward particularly given the fact that it is built upon in several locations and there is no indication of who might do this.'

The council adds it has discussed the line with Norfolk County Council, which has also said 'there may not be a need to protect the route as there is little likelihood of a rail proposal coming forward'.

The letter adds while the route is no longer suitable for rail use, it could become a leisure route for cyclists and walkers.

Hunstanton Town Council will discuss the letter at its next full council meeting. The line once carried members of the Royal Family to and from Sandringham, via the Royal Station at Wolferton, along with generations of holidaymakers.

It also inspired poet John Betjeman to make a film about the route.