A vision to preserve the Folkestone Harbour railway and relaunch a ferry service from the port has been unveiled by a heritage group.

The Remembrance Line Association (RLA) is aiming to preserve and reconnect the harbour branch to the mainline.

It hopes to provide a regular service for the community and attract tourism into the town in collaboration with the plans to regenerate the harbour, seafront and Rotunda areas.

But members must first convince Network Rail to keep it open, allowing for any future restoration of the line.

The association fears a closure notice might come from Network Rail "at any day", which could see the whole scheme hit the buffers.

"We don't need Network Rail coming along and ripping up the tracks and in doing so denying us that opportunity for positive regeneration..." - Henry Bolton

Any closure announcement would prompt a statutory three-month public consultation period that the RLA is determined to fight against, but needs the public and the district councils to support it.

RLA chairman Richard Moffatt said: "We're at a stage now that the railway may be threatened by complete closure. It's the only railway connected to what is still a working port."

But even if the tracks were to be ripped up, the RLA has secured listed status for the viaduct that leads down to the harbour arm meaning it would be preserved.

The plans propose running a rail or tram service from Folkestone Central station that could use the mainline to the former Folkestone East station, linking up with a park and ride scheme, before joining the harbour and continuing to the Leas Lift.

Henry Bolton, policy and planning director for the RLA, said: "It's going to be a regular service that's effectively a bus service but on rail.

"We've got a marvellous opportunity. We don't need Network Rail coming along and ripping up the tracks and in doing so denying us that opportunity for positive regeneration. We're not talking about a large network but there are jobs to be had."

He called for support from Shepway District Council, saying: "We absolutely need the local authority on board. We've got to work together, but until then I don't want that track taken up."

The long-term plan is to run services all the way to Shorncliffe.

This includes Folkestone Harbour Company, whose plans to develop retail outlets and more than 1,000 homes were accepted by Shepway District Council in August.

The RLA, which formed in 2008 and has gained a membership of 600 people, is yet to submit any formal plans - but the association said it needs to work together with all the parties involved with the seafront development.

Mr Bolton confirmed there was interest from ferry companies to run a passenger service to France.

Mr Moffatt said association members had met the Chamber of Commerce in Boulogne and met with the town's mayor.

He said: “They've got a brand new port and would welcome a service even if it's a foot service."

A Network Rail spokesman said: "We are currently reviewing plans for the future of the Folkestone Harbour branch line.

"We are aware of local interest and will provide information about our proposals as soon as there are developments."