Multi-million pound plans to improve public transport in Merseyside could lead to the creation of 30 new railway stations.

A list of potential new sites has already been drawn up and is expected to be made public in September, the Liverpool Echo reports.

Transport chiefs are currently conducting feasibility studies on the sites to determine whether new stations are necessary and how much they would cost.

The list of sites could include the Maghull North railway station and the suggested re-opening of the closed-down St James's station in Liverpool's Baltic Triangle.

David Brown, chief executive of transport authority Merseytravel, said: "We want to understand the benefits on a site-by-site basis. Some have more potential than others at this moment in time."

Other proposals being considered include improving connections between Liverpool and other major cities, increasing capacity at Liverpool Central Station and continuing to lobby for a high-speed rail link into Liverpool.