A COMMUNITY is prepared to change the name of its railway station to persuade Arriva to let more trains stop there.

Middleton St George Community Partnership mounted a campaign at Christmas to get a regular service for Dinsdale station. It started by canvassing homes through its community newsletter and followed that up with a doorstep petition.

At present, trains pass through Dinsdale between Darlington and Middlesbrough, but rarely halt, and villagers rely on cars or buses.

Alan Moon said: "We have more than 600 signatures now and we are just gathering the last few before we write to Arriva. We have covered about 90pc of the village and we specifically asked people to sign only if they would be prepared to use the trains regularly."

The name-change came up incidentally during canvassing.

"I think the history is that Dinsdale Spa was on the go during Victorian times so the railway station was called Dinsdale. But it is a little bit outdated now and doesn't mean much to potential customers. It might be better to change it."

The idea was backed by the parish council last week, but with the proviso that Dinsdale remained in the title.

However Mr Moon is not in favour. "I think we will have to have further discussions, but if the name gets too complicated Arriva might reject it more readily."