RAIL passengers and campaigners will be in full party mood on Sunday celebrating the Romsey-Chandler's Ford-Totton train service's third birthday.

Sunday's celebrations come just months after it was announced the threatened service had been saved from the axe but will start at Southampton Central instead of Totton and continue on to Salisbury via Chandler's Ford late next year. The revamped service will also see some South West Trains calling at Dunbridge and Dean stations.

And the celebrations also coincide with the official launch of the Chandler's Ford and Romsey Rail Action Group - set up to promote and improve train services in the area.

Live folk and jazz music is planned aboard South West Trains services travelling along the Romsey to Totton route.

Trains will be decked with balloons and birthday cake will be handed out to passengers and there will also be special offers on fares during Sunday only. Two people travelling to, from and through Chandler's Ford station can travel for the price of one.

Nick Farthing joint co-ordinator of the Chandler's Ford and Romsey Rail Action Group and the Hampshire Economic Partnership Transport and Logistics Task Group urged people to support the local rail network. He said: "The Romsey-Chandler's Ford-Totton service forms a very important role in providing alternative transport opportunities to the private car, for businesses and individuals in the area.

The future enhancements linking Dunbridge, Dean and Salisbury will create really useful connections to urban and rural areas.

"Without this most important transport link, a great many people would find it difficult to access their jobs, schools and the shops, with many reverting to the car, in turn creating further traffic congestion across the region."

Romsey's MP Sandra Gidley and Eastleigh's MP Chris Huhne have been invited to the celebrations. Both were involved in the fight to retain the Romsey to Totton rail link.

In January, more than 200 attended a public meeting at Chandler's Ford, where they vented their anger at government proposals to reduce the current service to a shuttle between Romsey and Eastleigh next year under new rail franchise agreements. This led to the Romsey MP taking the fight to retain the service to Westminster. Mrs Gidley also met trains minister Derek Twigg.