TRAIN-LOVING couples could soon be saying 'I choo' at a fitting location.

For savvy bosses of the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) are bidding for a wedding licence so rail enthusiasts can tie the knot at their Bury or Ramsbottom stations – and hold their reception on the train itself.

The move follows a flurry of enquiries to ELR staff from couples who harbour a desire to walk down an aisle with a difference.

"We believe that the romance of steam and nostalgic setting of the station will inspire a lot of couples to get married at our heritage railway," said ELR's sales manager Richard Barnett.

Fiona Drummond and her fiance will be become the first couple to wed at Ramsbottom station next July.

She said: "We used to live alongside of the line and, on Fridays and Saturdays, we would be able to look out of living room and see the Red Rose Diner coming past and we loved it.

"We booked a place on that train on the day that my fiance popped the question in October 2011.

"For us, it is wonderful to be able to get married in the town where we live and with the beauty of such a unique setting."

ELR is following in the footsteps of other heritage railway operators around the country.

One such location is the Bluebell Railway, which runs through 11 miles of picturesque rural landscapes in East Sussex.

Its commercial manager, Caroline Collins, said: "We get dozens of enquiries each year and tend to hold about 20 events a year, mostly on weekends, though Fridays are popular too.

"The ceremony has to take place at the station, as it must be at a fixed location, but the reception can be on the train and people love what we put on for them.

"We have a wedding co-ordinator who works with the happy couples from the moment they book up until their big day and she is already working with couples for events in summer 2016.

"It will be a good venture for ELR if they get it right."

Mr Barnett said: "The growing demand for 'novel' places to get married has grown significantly over the last few years.

"The railway is a unique venue that many couples have enquired about with regards to weddings, so it was only a matter of time before we would be able to offer this facility to couples.

"We have a range of high-quality facilities, including luxury dining train and vintage observation saloon - ideal for a wedding breakfast with a difference or a champagne reception.

"Our dedicated, professional and personable team will go the extra mile to make sure that it truly is special."