CAMPAIGNERS hoping to see Carnforth Station become a mainline stop enjoyed a brief encounter with the transport minister this week.

Dr Kim Howells stopped off at the historic halt on Wednesday on a tour of Lancashire's showcase integrated transport schemes.

But when questioned about Carnforth's chances of being reinstated as a main stop for trains between London and Scotland, the minister said they were 'slim'.

Dr Howells, pictured, told the Citizen the current emphasis was to reduce journey times between London and the conurbations - stopping at Carnforth would go against that.

But he stressed: "Equally important is that this station should have good connections where people can get on to mainline services."

In response, Carnforth railway trust chairman Peter Yates appealed for 'common sense' on the running of the railways.

Station development officer Claire Lloyd-Raine was keen to ask the minister for more funding to enhance facilities.

"We want to expand the exhibition we already have, and have more facilities like educational material to encourage people like school groups to come," she says.