Campaigners raised fears yesterday that rail services could be slashed on a popular route between north Wales and the Midlands.

Rail union RMT and a rail users group say the 7.47am Wrexham to Birmingham service and the 7am Shrewsbury to Wrexham services are under threat from operator Arriva Trains Wales.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT stands shoulder to shoulder with the SCRUA users group in their fight to save services that are threatened by Arriva Trains Wales and we are calling on the company to back off.

“The train company needs to listen to the rail users and the staff and pull back from these ill-conceived plans before lasting damage is done to highly valued and important services.”

An Arriva spokesman said: “The development of the May 2015 timetable is still ongoing and nothing has been finalised.”