Nineteen of the 20 trains to Gloucester are to be cut

In February, Virgin Cross Country announced that from September all but one of its trains would no longer stop at the town.

But after meeting local rail campaigners, Mr Spellar has said he will put pressure on the rail authorities to rethink the plans.

He said: "We are involved in discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to see what can be done.

'Against franchise'

"There are still a considerable amount of services running through Gloucester.

"But I do take on-board that there is a considerable problem arising from the Virgin Trains being rerouted, and therefore I am going to talk to the SRA to see what can be done."

Last month Gloucester councillors said the move - which is backed by SRA - was against the company's franchise.

They say the company is legally bound to provide at least 10 cross country services a day, and the proposals will leave the town cut off from the rest of the country.

Virgin Trains has denied the councillors' claim and said the new timetable does not breach any agreement.