SUPPORT has been growing for Swindon’s Great British Railways HQ bid.

The town hopes to be the perfect place for the rail giant to move its main base of operations from Milton Keynes.

An online survey launched by Swindon Borough Council has received 3,107 responses – and 2,947 of these answered yes to whether Swindon would make a good location for the new HQ.

Many are enthusiastic about the idea about having Swindon become the home of the railways once again.

Here's a sample of the responses sent in so far:

“My grandparents and great grandparents worked on the railway, there is a historic passion that has been passed down through generations.”

“Swindon has an amazing heritage in the railway industry, it is what made Swindon what it is today. It would be fitting to take this to the future as well.”

“The people of Swindon are proud of their historic past, but they also have the will and ability to add to this in the future.”

"Swindon is a dynamic, forward-thinking place with a rich railway heritage.”

“The heart and history of Swindon is grounded in the railways.”

“Swindon is the home of the GWR. It was Brunel's choice. If it was good enough for him it is good enough - plain and simple.”

“We are The Railway Town! Without the railway, there would be no Swindon.”

“Swindon has a deep heritage with GWR, it also has great transport links by road and rail that are only getting better.”

“Swindon is centrally located with good road and rail links, it has sufficient housing and more housing is being developed, it is on the edge of some wonderful countryside and has a skilled workforce.”

“What better place to be situated than in the town that was once home to one of the largest railway engineering complexes in the world?”

Earlier this month, the Adver and 15 other companies and public bodies - including Zurich, Nationwide, Great Western Hospitals Trust and New College Swindon - signed an open letter to the Transport Secretary urging him to choose our town as the winning bid.

A total of 42 towns and cities have submitted bids to become the new location for the headquarters, with the government due to announce a shortlist this month.

There will then be a public vote to determine the winner.

Among Swindon's competition is Greater Manchester, West of England Combined Authority, Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Birmingham and York.