TRAIN protesters went ahead with a rally - despite being refused permission to use a village station.

Campaigners who had drafted in musicians to entertain the crowds instead met in a car park near Marsden station.

They were protesting against the axing of the direct Manchester to Wakefield service. Passengers from Marsden and Slaithwaite must now change at Huddersfield and wait nearly an hour for a connection.

A ban on using the station for the rally arrived just 24 hours before the event.

Fiona Weir, of Slaithwaite and Marsden Action on Rail Transport, said: "It was a last-minute refusal.

"Given that the rally had been arranged very informally, it wasn't possible to cancel it altogether."

The gathering was also a celebration, after train bosses agreed to stop using Platform 2 at Marsden.

Objectors said the platform was dangerous and inaccessible and Platform 3 should be used instead.

The First North Western train company said it had refused permission for a rally at the station on safety grounds.

A spokeswoman said longer notice was needed to make arrangements.

"We plan and agree to many similar community events and would be happy to support one at Marsden," she added.