The South East Northumberland Rail User Group (SENRUG) issued a rallying call to members, the public, commuters and local transport bosses at a crunch meeting in Morpeth.

In August, the recently disbanded Strategic Rail Authority revealed plans to ditch uneconomic services in the north east in its last report.

Its proposals include discontinuing services from Newcastle to Morpeth and north to Chathill, between Alnwick and Berwick, presently operated by Northern Rail.

SENRUG – an action group battling for better trains services, facilities and value for money on county lines – has described the planned cuts as 'disastrous' for local tourism, investment and commuters.

Group members are now urging townspeople to write in protest to MPs, councillors and the Secretary of State for Transport.

Leaflet drops are being planned to stoke up support for the campaign and talks are being sought with Network Rail, who will make the final decision on proposed cuts.

Chairman Ken Allott said: "It would be a disaster for south east Northumberland commuters, shoppers and students from Cramlington and Morpeth.

"Every station up to Chathill would close, that's Manors, Cramlington, Pegswood, Widdrington, and Acklington. Only Morpeth and Alnmouth would remain.

"Widdrington Station and Pegswood villages are also expanding, with new housing estates and potential rail passengers.

"What we need is an extension of the local service, not closure.

"Tourism is growing in Northumberland, but at present it is held back by a very poor local rail service.

"Tourism is vital to rural Northumberland, and these cuts would be disastrous."

SENRUG members are also hoping to gain regional and national coverage for its campaigns – which include a plan to reopen the Ashington-Blyth-Tyne line to passengers — by approaching TV stations.

The BBC's regional affairs programme Inside Out and the Politics Show will be asked to run features in their Monday and Sunday slots.