Rail commuters have gone to extreme lengths to stop First Capital Connect from axing the 7.03am service from Ashwell and Morden to London King's Cross from December 11.

Adults have already stripped off and posed for the cameras with just customised newspapers to cover their modesty.

Even their children have been campaigning to save the service.

But, on Monday - the first day of the new timetable, the Ashwell and Morden Rail User Group's protest reached a new level, with campaigners blocking Letchworth station's car park with their vehicles.

Protesters placed huge signs in their car windscreens saying: "We don't want to be here. Help save our fast trains."

Risking the wrath of Letchworth train users by leaving them with nowhere to park, the protesters apologised but said that First Capital Connect had left them with no alternative.

Tim Giles, one of the Ashwell commuters who took part in the protest, said: "We sincerely apologise to Letchworth commuters, but First Capital Connect have left us no choice. Many of us need to catch a fast train to London and the only way to do that now is to drive to Letchworth every day.

"At a time when 'green issues' are right at the top of the country's concerns, it's ludicrous that we have to drive away from our local stations and come to Letchworth, causing unnecessary pollution and congestion.

"We often hear talk of a joined-up transport policy but here's a real example of a very disjointed one."

First Capital Connect has introduced an eight-carriage train for 500 passengers, which will take 15 minutes longer, and stops at Ashwell and Morden at 6.49am.