A WAR of words has broken out between an award-winning railman and the company that sacked him.

Ian Faletto and his supporters claim he was dismissed for removing a shopping trolley from the line near Lymington Town station, where he was a ticket office clerk.

South West Trains (SWT) says the facts are “fundamentally different to the picture that has been painted”.

Mr Faletto, 49, of Durley Crescent, Totton, is sticking to his version of events.

He said: “Everything I have said is true. I was shocked they were making an issue out of what happened. I had done my damnedest to prevent a rail accident. I know of people who have done similar things and it has not been a problem.”

Despite the controversy Mr Faletto said he still hoped to return to his job.

As reported in the Daily Echo more than 6,500 people have signed a petition calling on SWT to reinstate Mr Faletto.

A delegation headed by New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne and the Rev Alex Russell, is going to SWT’s headquarters on Wednesday to hand in the petition forms.

A SWT spokesman said: “We can understand the feelings in the local community. However, the facts are fundamentally different from the inaccurate picture painted to date.

“It would be entirely wrong for any disciplinary decisions, including one involving a serious breach of safety, to be influenced by external parties.”