DEMONSTRATORS turned out in force to demand that trains stop again at Midge Hall station in Leyland on the Preston- Ormskirk line.

The station off Longmeanygate in the town, has been closed for 40-years, and members of the Ormskirk, Preston and Southport Travellers Association (OPSTA), who organised the rally on Saturday, August 18, are campaigning to get the station was reopened.

The campaign by OSPTA members has now captured the attention of Lancashire County Council chiefs who have included the station in a transport needs assessment study.

"The station was closed in the early '60s, as there just wasn't enough call for it," said OSPTA chairman John Blinkhorn.

He added: "But this situation has been reversed now and there is a need for trains to stop here again. The platforms are already there and should still be structurally sound. They just need cleaning up. The rally was a show of force to Lancashire County Council to demonstrate that we do have plenty of support." Protesters were joined by South Ribble council leader Coun Howard Gore.

He said: "The borough council has been lobbied by OPSTA. I had no hesitation in going to talk to them about their views.

"The borough council have offered their support, because they see it as an inconvenience for people who want to go from Leyland to Preston. But we are aware of the county council's budget, and that there is a pecking order for reopening stations. But if you don't campaign you don't get anywhere."