The network would initially require about £37m from private sector investment, revenue from heat sales and renewable heat incentive funding.

The local authority said Leighton West in Crewe has been identified as an 'ideal' site for drilling down 4.5 km to bring hot water to the surface for geothermal purposes.

Councillor Michael Jones, leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "Cheshire East Council continues to engage with developers who have expressed a commercial interest in building a geothermal heat network in Crewe.

"There has been further interest in developing this from a range of international companies including the utility market, the geothermal development sector and from investment companies.

"We are excited by the level of market interest in the geothermal project and I will make a further announcement on this project in due course."