Gloucester Railway Station is to receive £1.7million for significant improvements.

Approval for the funding from the Department for Transport has been confirmed on Gloucester Day - the 377th anniversary of the lifting of the Siege of Gloucester during the English Civil War.

Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: "GWR will use this funding to deliver a greener, more energy efficient, more disability friendly station and more attractive facade.

"It's the final piece of the jigsaw to make sure all public transport in Gloucester is in the best possible shape to serve residents and be a great experience for visitors.

"And it follows funding for other vital improvements to the underpass, the station forecourt and a new exit to Metz Way already funded by government via the LEP."

Plans include an additional 10 electric vehicle spaces, more cycle racks, solar panels to reduce energy consumption, a new facade and a canopy at the front of the station to shelter traveller, including those waiting at the new bus stop.

Mr Graham said: "On a day when Gloucester celebrates our past, let's also look forward to the future as well.

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"I'm grateful to GWR and the Department for Transport for their great work with me and for our city on this project."

The railway station was awarded £4.3million by GFirst LEP in July for updates including the underpass to Great Western Road, new exits onto Metz Way and Bruton Way and a proposed new bus stop.

GWR regional development manager Dan Okey said: "We are delighted to have been given the go ahead for the additional investment in the station.

"We have a very strong working relationship with the city council, the LEP and with Richard Graham, and this project is a great example of how working together can deliver real benefits for Gloucester.

"More customers are returning to rail and travelling with us with confidence, and we are determined to continue our station investment programme, so that we build on the improvements already made at Gloucester to the station, to our trains and to our services."