A RAILWAY station which has seen its share of screen fame is set to step into the spotlight in its own right.

Entwistle station, between Darwen and Bromley Cross on the Blackburn to Bolton line, has been the backdrop for film and TV specials, but remains a request stop only.

Now, following a £40,000 revamp, talks are taking place which could see extra services call at the station.

Entwistle doubled as Redfern station in a film adaptation of Jeffrey Archer's "First Among Equals".

And in an episode of Peter Kay's comedy serial "Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere", the remote location of Entwistle made it ideal for the fictitious Middlewood.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council has ambitions to promote the station as a "gateway" to the area and the West Pennine Moors.

Northern Rail, which runs the station, is being encouraged to increase the number of trains that call.

Trains start passing the station at 6.30am and finish at 11pm on weekdays, but there can be two-hour waits between services at off-peak times. Only seven services pass the station on Sundays.All services run between Clitheroe and Manchester Victoria except the 10pm train, which goes to Buxton.

Cllr Alan Cottam, the council's executive member for regeneration, said: "We hope this revamp will help raise the profile of Entwistle station. We want to encourage people visiting the West Pennine Moors to use the train as an alternative to their cars.

"The improved environment will also benefit commuters using the station to reach Blackburn, Bolton and Manchester."

New plant containers and fencing have been installed at the station, as well as "art" discs suggesting walking routes and heritage attractions. There is also a community noticeboard and better signs.

A new entrance has been paid for by the council's local transport plan budget.

The council has contributed £10,000 towards the revamp, with the rest provided by the station operator.

The upgrades will be officially unveiled thisweek when a new leaflet, "East Lancashire's Historical Community Railways", covering Entwistle and a host of other stations, is launched.