NUMBERS using the Newquay to Par Branch Line last year totalled 70,671 sales, which has smashed the record previously set for the line.

Last year's bumper crop of passengers beat the previous best total of 60,832, set in 2004, with three months to spare.

Support group The Friends of the Atlantic Coastline (FoCAL) would like to see these high numbers of train users result in better funding, facilities and services for those choosing to travel by train.

A delighted Alan Nicholson-Florence, vice-chairman of FoCAL, said: "When you look at the figures of how people got to Cornwall last year, by train was the least popular mode of transport with only 6% using it.

"I think there's a great deal of opportunity to increase the travel numbers for trains in Cornwall, especially on the branch line."

FoCAL has already been calling on the Government to fund improvement on the line due to the increase in demand for a better service – like creating a higher speed link between Newquay and Par. The calls have the support of Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the Newquay and St Austell seat, Stephen Gilbert.

Geoff Mason-Brown, press officer for FoCAL, said: "A high-speed link on the branch line and reinstating Platform One at Newquay would help dramatically.

"Last year 1.1 million people used the five branch lines in Cornwall, which is a 72% increase since 2001 and a 43% increase since 2005.

"We have a lot of ideas for the line, all of which are on our website. The more people we have supporting the idea the better.

"Last year was good news for Cornish railways and travel and for the Newquay Branch Line.

"We just need to keep promoting the line."

To view what FoCAL want to see happen on the line, and also watch their promotional short film called Catch The Train please go to www.focal.org.uk