The government has launched a bidding process for local authorities to put forward an expression of interest to host the headquarters of the newly created Great British Railways - and Gloucester hopes to be in the running.

Launching the bid Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, said: "Today I can confirm that Gloucester is going for it in a bid led by the Gloucestershire County Council, supported by the City Council, and in partnership with the GFirstLEP and Reef Group.

"We've got a lot to be proud of, in unique railway heritage here in Gloucester, including the country's longest continuous platform, two different gauge railway lines that met here in Gloucester and of course, the Gloucester Railway Carriage and Waggon Company formed 160 years ago."

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council said: "Gloucestershire, with our rich rail heritage, would be a great home for GB Railways. If we were successful, this opportunity would bring in new jobs and additional spending power to the area as well as highlight the geographic importance of Gloucestershire and the Western Gateway.

"That is why I asked the County Council's Economic Development Team to develop a bid which we have now submitted. I am optimistic that Gloucestershire will be a brilliant home for GB railways, should they choose us."

Supporting the bid local councillor Dawn Melvin said: "Gloucester hosting the HQ for Great British Railways would be a real bonus to our extensive regeneration of the Kings Quarter and wider Forum area. A great tribute to Gloucester's railway heritage and a real honour for the city."

Gloucester remains the strategic interchange for rail services to Wales, Bristol, Swindon and London all within two hours of our city and through our neighbouring railway station in Cheltenham we connect up to the north Oxford and Scotland.

The Gloucester Railway Carriage and Waggon Company also exported the city's engineering excellence, producing trains for the London Underground, GWR rail cars, as well as trains for the Toronto subway, multiple railway lines in Australia, and even railway carriages for India.

Those behind the bid believe there is nowhere better to host Great British Railways headquarters than Gloucester.

Punchline says: "With more than 125,000 sq ft of A-Grade office space to fill within The Forum development, the site seems ideal for an anchor tenant of this calibre.

"If successful, the deal will be a huge accomplishment for the city and hopefully lead the way for other national and international organisations looking to re-locate. All our fingers are crossed that the bid is successful."