Campaigners trying to save train services from Chilham have handed a petition to the Government.

More than 550 people signed to protest about the threat of reduced rail services from the village.

MP for Ashford Damian Green presented the petition at the House of Commons.

It urges transport minister Ruth Kelly to ensure that the train company Southeastern agrees to continue to provide a minimum of two trains an hour at peak times and an hourly service at off-peak times and weekends at Chilham Station.

The threat to services from the village has been ongoing since 2004 when a document was published which stated services may be reduced to just three trains a day.

Since then passengers, the parish council, Ashford Borough Council and Mr Green have been trying to ensure that does not happen.

The council and Mr Green have sent letters to the Department for Transport in an attempt to protect services from all rural stations, not just from Chilham.

Campaigners fear a reduction in services will be a problem for commuters to Canterbury, Ashford and London and will mean that more people will be forced to drive and will pose a threat to tourism in the area.