CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after Virgin Trains agreed to resume two rush-hour stops at Lancaster.

The company had controversially cut its peak-time services from Preston to Lancaster from three to one.

Green County Cllr Jonathon Sear said: "One of those trains, the 16:41, was in the bizarre position of stopping at Lancaster to let people on, but not off."

He said the changes had led to severe overcrowding on the only remaining service, First North Western's 16:57.

Green protesters argued that FNW should provide an adequate service between the two cities, or persuade Virgin to reinstate the withdrawn stops.

In a FNW response to Cllr Sear, a spokesman said Virgin Trains had agreed to reinstate the Lancaster stop on the 16:06 service, and revert to pick up and set down at Lancaster on the 16:41 service.

But this will first come into force for the Winter timetable.

Cllr Sear welcomed the news, but stressed the need for rail users to be consulted on timetable changes.

He said there had to be more recognition that Virgin, although a long distance operator, provided important local services for Lancaster residents and had to be protected.

Green Cllr John Whitelegg said: "This is a victory for common sense and green politics."