The oldest electric railway in Britain could be extended.

Volk's Railway, which opened in 1883, runs along Brighton seafront from near the Sea Life Centre to Black Rock.

The Volk's Electric Railway Association (Vera) says it needs to expand and suggests an eastward extension into Brighton Marina and a westward one to bring it closer to the Palace Pier.

VERA spokesman Jim Hawkins said: "It's a chance in a lifetime to extend it at both ends.

"At the very least a path should be left for the extension at the marina and pier ends.

"A new Volk's Railway station moved nearer to the pier at Dalton's Bastion could be the gateway to a regenerated eastern seafront."

He believes moving the railway closer to two of the city's biggest tourist attractions would revive it.

VERA has put its ideas to Brighton and Hove City Council, the developers of the Black Rock site, and to the managers of the marina.

Mr Hawkins said the railway could be used for pleasure and as a serious means of transport between the pier and the marina.

Volk's Railway could carry 17,500 passengers a day by extending its running hours and using four trains instead of two. Another plan is to move the railway nearer to the road at Peter Pan's Playground, the halfway stop.

Mr Hawkins said: "This should mean more passengers as the station will be more easily seen."

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokeswoman said: "We will be considering the transport and planning implications of the proposal. We welcome their forward-thinking approach to providing an additional facility for visitors."