CAMPAIGNERS trying to save and rejuvenate a village railway station for a community venture have today been promised a “substantial sum” towards the project.

It is hoped to turn the 121-year-old Victorian Trimley station and brake goods store – the last surviving Great Eastern country station – on the Ipswich to Felixstowe line into a cafe, information centre, offices and meeting room.

The Trimley Station Community Trust, which is trying to raise �250,000, has been given a two-year lease to safeguard the building while they finalise their plans.

Now it has won the backing of the Railway Heritage Trust.

Community trust member Bryan Frost, a Trimley St Mary parish councillor, said: “It’s very positive. The trust is saying a substantial sum will be put into their budget for 2014-15 towards renovation and improvements to the building.

“This will enable us to seek match funding from other fund-giving bodies and organisations.”

Mr Frost said the group had “an absolutely superb team” and a huge amount of work was being done on the project.

“We are about to sign the lease with Greater Anglia for two years which will enable us to get the building wind and weatherproof,” he said.

“Fundraising is taking place and a lot of work on our business plan, legal and insurance implications. It’s growing like Topsy but is very good news.”

The group’s dream of converting the station and bring it into community use also has the support of the village with more than 50 per cent of people surveyed saying they would use such a facility regularly.