Commuter Rail services between Wallingford, Reading and London have come a step closer.

The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society has acquired ownership of just under an acre of land on which it plans to build a new station.

The society is prevented from developing the site, just off Hithercroft Road, for three years but once the station is built the society could run regular rail services connecting with the main lines at Cholsey station.

The move has been welcomed by the town council and commuters.

A station at Wallingford has been the dream of the railway preservation society, which runs both steam and diesel trains, since its formation to revive the town's branch line.

This week, the society, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, exchanged contracts with Linden Homes for a nominal fee to gain ownership of its present site, which is just under an acre of land.

It will now start raising money for the new station.

Society chairman Jo Clyde said: "This is great news for us.

"Completion of the sale may be delayed by up to three years while Linden Homes completes its housing development. But there's a lot to do in the meantime.

"With the signing of this contract we can start to plan how we will develop the site as a major tourist attraction for Wallingford.

"Eventually, we aim to run daily peak-hour commuter services to get people from Wallingford to Cholsey, where they will transfer to the main line trains for Reading and London.

"That's the aim and the dream, but we have a very long way to go yet.

"I cannot envisage how many years it might take."

The old Wallingford station was demolished in 1969 after passenger services ceased a decade earlier and goods traffic in 1965.

Until now, the society has used a temporary base on land which was owned by Pauls Malt.

Ms Clyde said: "Our temporary arrangements up to now have restricted our use of the site and prohibited the erection of any permanent structures.

"Now we can forge ahead and realise a dream."

The move was welcomed by Denis Strange, Wallingford town council tourism committee's chairman.

He said: "It's great news for the town.

"It will be an attraction for tourists and a boost to the area generally.

"I pay tribute to Linden Homes for their generosity over this land."

When questioned about the proposal, commuters who have to go by bus to Cholsey station to catch a train were interested in the idea, but the main reaction was: "We'll believe it when we see it."

John Richards, of Wallingford, said: "I commute regularly and would love to see the line open properly. I would certainly use it."