KEY talks have taken place between Worcestershire MPs and the rail minister over speeding up train journeys - after David Cameron lobbied for it.

Your Worcester News can reveal how after a suggestion from the Prime Minister, rail minister Claire Perry met with leading county politicians this week over poor services to and from London.

We can reveal:

- One suggestion actively being explored is putting the all-important First Great Western-led Cotswold Line out to tender on its own, in the hope it could get fresh investment

- A blueprint drawn up by Worcestershire County Council was presented to Ms Perry based on launching new train services with a number of station stops deleted to speed up the journeys

- Talks will now take place with the train industry before any further meetings are arranged

The session took place on Monday involving Worcester MP Robin Walker, Mid-Worcestershire's Nigel Huddleston and West Worcestershire's Harriett Baldwin.

One example devised from inside County Hall was for a new train service to start at Worcester and only stop at Charlbury, Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford before touching down in London, taking around one hour 45 minutes.

At the moment trains can take as long as two hours 20 minutes, worse than parts of the UK which are actually closer to London like East Anglia.

There are hopes the opening of Worcestershire Parkway in Norton, which is expected in May 2017, is the best chance in a generation to change that if action is taken now.

Mr Walker said: "The key things are the frequency of trains, so having more of them with the same stopping services but adding in extra, faster ones as well.

"It was a very positive meeting and we were able to bring in support from the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), businesses who are supporting us on this and the Chamber of Commerce."

Mrs Baldwin added: "I'm pleased all the local MPs were able to gather to meet with the minister to press for a faster, more frequent and more reliable Cotswold Line service.

"One of the ideas we discussed is putting the Cotswold Line out to separate tender, like the Chiltern Line.

"Others included dualling parts of the line and adding passing places.

"Everyone is very excited about the opportunities that a Worcester Parkway station brings, linking cross country services to London to Hereford line."

Mr Huddleston called it "positive and productive".

The campaign for better rail services is known as 'Fast Track Worcester', and follows the success of 'Norwich in 90' which helped secure much improved services from London.

There are 36 daily services from London to East Anglia now, compared to just 15 to Worcester and Evesham, and the journeys to south Worcestershire take around 30 minutes longer despite similar mileage.