THE fight to save a popular train service in Melksham has been lost.

Supporters were hoping they could reverse the decision to scrap three trains a day but it was announced on Monday that from December only two trains a day will run.

Campaigners had thought they would have a reprieve when First Great Western, who took over the Greater Western Franchise in December, agreed to consult with the public over their proposed timetable.

The consultation ended on March 9 and despite massive changes across the franchise Melksham was not included. Hundreds of letters were sent by members of the public. Graham Ellis, who spearheaded the campaign by setting up his own save the train website said he was very disappointed with the news.

He said: "It's another slap in the face for Melksham. Where it leaves us I don't know. Realistically it is very unlikely the service will be continued. "One of the things is the timing of the two remaining trains which frankly is pretty dreadful. People don't want to travel from Swindon to Melksham at 6.20am.

"It does seem a lot of other battles have been won. Bigger battles with more people involved which are more expensive schemes to run.

"First Group are used to running long distance services and seem to have made improvements mainly to long distance trains."

Tim Bowcock from First Great Western said: "We have had lengthy discussions with the Department of Transport about the changes and unfortunately Melksham is not one of the stations we are able to make changes to.

"Off peak services do not have the same levels of demand as commuter services."

It was better news this week for campaigners for the threatened Waterloo train which serves Westbury, Warminster, Bradford on Avon and Trowbridge. The line is currently part of the South Western Franchise, which potential buyers were invited to bid for at the end of last month.

In a letter to West Wiltshire MP Andrew Murrison Derek Twigg MP, minister for trains, said while the line would not be included in the franchise he had asked bidders to submit a priced option plan to run two trains a day between Bristol and London Waterloo, via Salisbury.

Mr Murrison said: "I regret that the minister has not included the direct service in the tender document but I am pleased that he has kept the door open for the successful bidder to opt to continue it."

Mr Murrison said he would redouble his efforts to encourage the bidders to include the direct service.