The railway has been helped by major donations

Charnwood Borough Council is meeting to decide whether to support the bid which covers three stations and Loughborough's goods shed and signal box.

The line attracts thousands of visitors a year and has been used for major film productions.

But it has also struggled financially and was only saved from a major crisis earlier this year by a donation of over �100,000.

Official recognition

The railway uses four stations, each one restored to represent a period in the line's 100 year history.

Loughborough Central, Quorn and Woodhouse and Rothley are applying for listed status.

This would give them added protection from development and attract possible funding. The Chairman John East felt listing the stations would be an important move forward.

He said: "They are historic buildings. People might not think of a railway station as historic but it certainly is. It's of architectural significance, they are unique.

"Because we are applying for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund very shortly we think it is very important they are listed because it gives them some sort of official recognition."