SOUTH West Trains has backtracked on plans to slash the number of off-peak services to a small village station near Winchester.

The train operator had planned to reduce the commuter link at Shawford from four trains per evening to two from the end of September, which would have left many commuters stranded.

But following complaints from locals and Winchester MP Mark Oaten, they have now agreed to restore the service to three trains.

A spokesperson for SWT said: "These are literally the only alterations that can be made to improve the service without writing the timetable around Shawford.

"South West Trains hopes these alterations will be seen as pragmatic and responsive.

"Our schedules are designed to meet the needs of as many passengers as we can but unfortunately it does mean that, much as we should like to do so, we cannot satisfy everyone."

In response to the changes, Mr Oaten said: "I am pleased that South West Trains have listened to local commuters and reinstated this small but essential service."

However, the alterations will not help people affected by gaps created in the timetable during the day and at weekends. Michael Hedderly, the county council's rail officer, said: "We will accept what they have offered us but we still want more. There are still gaps of more than an hour on the timetable and they are not proposing the reinstitution of any of the Sunday services that were cut. We will ask them to reconsider again"