A campaign group has given its backing to plans to bring the trams to the borough.

Tramforward, an organisation which is pushing for light rail systems to be built in more places, is getting behind Sutton Council's plan to extend the Tramlink system into the borough.

Last week, the council unveiled its multi-million pound scheme to extend the Tramlink from Merton through Rosehill, St Helier, Angel Hill and Sutton town station to a terminal by Sutton train station in front of a gathering of businesses people involved in the Sutton Business Improvement District (BID).

Your Local Guardian: How the tram might look

How a tram in Sutton could look

The council called on businesses to show their support to Transport for London (TfL) who would build the scheme.

Now, Tramforward has reiterated the council's rallying cry. A spokesman said: "The tram connection would cut local journey times and costs, reduce pollution on the streets of Sutton and help regenerate deprived areas such as the St Helier estate by encouraging investment, improving access and widening the job market in the localities affected.

"TramForward calls upon the people and businesses of Sutton to back their council's scheme and Transport for London to liaise with the council to take this proposal forward and make it a reality."

Light Rail Transit Association chairman Andrew Braddock added: "Local public transport improvements such as this deserve the mayor's support just as much as Crossrail 2 and the new bus for London "

It is estimated the 7km to 8km scheme would cost around £240m but save the people of Sutton £76m in travel costs to central London over the next 30 years, create around 3,000 jobs and improve air quality.

Under Secretary for Transport Norman Baker MP has already backed the plans.