First said the new timetables were not yet finalised

Many branch lines will have fewer trains running once the new franchise, won by First Group, begins in December.

Cornwall's Looe line will have a drop in daily services from 26 to 16, and Devon's Ivybridge line from 24 to 10.

First said it was running the services it has been told to by the government. The government said that lines were not being closed.

It leaves us stranded Philip Dredge, Ivybridge Rail Users Group

Also included in the planned services cuts will be the St Ives branch line in Cornwall seeing 26 daily trains being reduced to 16.

The Tarka line between Exeter and Barnstaple in Devon will have fewer trains and they will stop at fewer stations en route.

Ivybridge has seen a 70% increase in passenger numbers in the last four years, and the locals are concerned what affect the new timetable will have.

Philip Dredge of the Ivybridge Rail Users Group said: "It leaves us stranded, because not only have we got a lot of university students and staff and everyday commuters and shoppers going into Plymouth, but we also have children who attend Ivybridge Community College coming out of the city.

"The first train of the day coming from Plymouth won't be here until about 1330."

Listening hard

Councillor Nick Way of Devon County Council said: "We will be petitioning First Great Western and also the Department for Transport to keep the timetable as it is at the moment.

"I think that they have got to listen to us, but how hard they listen is another thing."

First said the cuts were in accordance with government specifications for regional services, but that it would listen to comments from passengers before the new planned timetable came into effect.