Town councillors in Dorchester have welcomed news that next year may see the re-introduction of two trains an hour on the Waterloo service.

The council has complained about the loss of trains since the timetable was cut to one train an hour with the axe taken to early morning and later trains.

A consultation exercise is currently underway by South West Trains about timetables and services from the spring of next year.

Town council planning and environment committee chairman Cllr Robin Potter said he welcomed the return of more trains – although was keen to see the details first.

He said the council would still write in response to the consultation stressing the need for better access for wheelchair users and to also lobby for more bike spaces.

Cllr Potter said he wanted to see everything possible done to encourage more people off the roads and onto the railways.

Chairman of Dorchester and district Labour Party, Barry Thompson, has also backed the need for a return of two trains an hour to Dorchester and beyond.

"Weymouth is a seaside resort and needs all the help it can get for tourism, encouraging the use of public transport is paramount to reducing emissions from car travel and a greener economy.

"Dorchester is also a popular destinations with the new county museum now open, Thomas Hardy and Roman and other historical connections.

"To help the Covid recovery we must encourage tourism here and the two trains an hour reinstated soonest and also the late train back... please let's get our priorities right and get the full service reinstated now," he said.

West Dorset MP Chris Loder said that he is also hopeful of the return of two trains an hour after lobbying the new managing director of the train company.