INTEREST near and far has been expressed in Okehampton Railway Station which went on the market just before Christmas.

Roy and Julie Gibbs, who have lovingly restored the station over the past three years, are confident the site will be in the hands of new owners by Easter.

The Gibbs are reluctantly selling the business, which includes a model shop, buffet, mail order business and museum, because Mr Gibbs is suffering from a serious illness but he hopes to stay involved with the station in a consultancy capacity.

There are around six possible buyers at the moment, including two companies who have remained anonymous. The site is on the market for £315,000 leasehold.

Michael van Houben from Miller and Son Estate Agents in Okehampton, who are dealing with the sale, said there had been international and national interest, mostly from larger groups who were connected with trains already.