CAMPAIGNERS boarded the train service they are trying to save this week.

Members of the West Wiltshire Rail Users Group, along with local councillors and west Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison, travelled to London on Wednesday to meet trains minister Derek Twigg to discuss plans to remove the direct service to London Waterloo from the post Feb 07 timetable.

Roger Newman, from the rail users group, said: "We want to see what can be done to persuade him the through service to Waterloo needs to be maintained and not just two services but with increased frequency."

Dr Murrison said: "The service is well used and it would be a blow to our area if it did not feature in next year's timetable." The protesters carried a giant placard covered in excerpts from a 3,000-signature petition collected against the changes in services, proposed by train operator First Great Western.

The planned timetable follows consultation documents issued by the Department of Transport for the South Western franchise, which omitted the Waterloo service. Under the revised timetable proposals rail travellers could find journeys longer and more difficult, with more changes.

Mr Newman said the plans would result in more people driving rather than taking the train. Rail users are concerned about the impact on trains from west Wiltshire, in particular Bradford on Avon and Warminster.