Residents packed out a public meeting held in opposition to plans to shut Taunton's ticket office.

Attendees were said to be 'overwhelmingly' in opposition to the plans, which would see the ticket office shut and replaced with a mobile ticketing service along the concourse.

Speaking at the event, Liberal Democrat candidate for Taunton and Wellington Gideon Amos, who has started a petition opposing the proposals said: "The idea that you have to roam around the Taunton station hoping to find someone who can help you buy your ticket is just awful .

“This kind of public service is what makes our country and communities stronger and we must fight to keep it. This is a big issue affecting towns and cities across the UK, not just Taunton.”

Also at the meeting was former Great Western Railway manager David Northy, who spoke about the need for human staff to help arrange complex journeys.

He said: "I started my career in 1979 at the ticket office counter in Taunton.

"Forty-four years later people are still making complex or unfamiliar journeys and still need help to get the right ticket,."

Mr Northy said a UK railway system with more than 150 different types of ticket was part of the problem.

There was also concern that ticket machines could prove difficult for disabled people to operate.

Gemma Evans, a wheelchair user, said: I’d love to put the people behind this scheme in a wheelchair for a day and see how they cope.” 

Former Somerset West and Taunton councillor Brenda Weston added: "If this goes ahead so many people will be excluded from being able to lead a normal life.”

More than 450 people have now added their name to Mr Amos's petition expressing their support for the ticket office to remain.

The meeting comes after railway managers extended the consultation period - which affects stations across the country - until September 1.