THE number of passengers using the Clitheroe Railway Line has outstripped original forecasts.

And an exhibition has been opened in the town's county information centre to show local people the results of a recent survey, and encourage others to use the service.

The line and stations were re-opened in 1994 at a cost of more than £1 million, with Lancashire County Council putting in £830,000, Ribble Valley Borough Council £103,000 , the Rural Development Commission £85,000 and British Rail £20,000.

A total of 1,000 people were interviewed in a major survey which showed 119,800 trips were taken in a year from Clitheroe, exceeding the original forecast of 85,400.

It also found people were switching from cars to rail, and that 72 per cent of Ribble Valley people interviewed had used the service.

Ninety two per cent of those surveyed thought fares were good or reasonable value, and 98 per cent thought journey times were good or reasonable.

Chairman of Lancashire County Council public transport committee County Coun Bob Clark opened the exhibition.

He said the county council and its public sector partners had always been convinced people wanted an alternative to the car.

"We are pleased it has been so well supported by the travelling public. We must continue to promote its use."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.