Dreams that Tonbridge might become the headquarters town of the new Great British Railways company have been shattered.

Tonbridge and Malling council put forward Tonbridge as a candidate back in February when the Government said it wanted the new company that is to be given the task of regenerating Britain's rail network to be based outside of London as part of its "levelling-up policy."

But despite having a rail history stretching back 180 years, Tonbridge has been snubbed by Transport Minister Grant Shapps who has decided on a short-list of six towns: Birmingham, Crewe, Derby, Doncaster, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and York.

The public are now being asked to vote for which of those will win the accolade - which is also likely to bring considerable investment and jobs to the area.

There were 42 towns competing for the honour and Tonbridge joins the likes of Bristol, Carlisle, Coventry, Dundee, Edinburgh, Manchester, Southampton and Worcester on the reject pile.

Mr Shapps said the eventual winner would be the heart of the rail network. He said: “Our world-leading railways have served this country well for 200 years and this is a huge step in the reforms, which will shape our network for the next 200.

“Great British Railways will create a truly sustainable, modern and fair railway network for passengers and freight customers."

He said: "I’m calling on people across the country to play a key part in this once-in-a-generation reform and vote for the new home of our railways.”

Details on how to vote for one of the six short-listed centres can be found here.

Plans to create Great British Railways were announced by the Government in 2021. The new organisation will integrate the railways, owning the infrastructure, collecting fare revenue, running and planning the network, and setting most fares and timetables.