VILLAGERS' attempts to save their Victorian railway station from the bulldozers have been backed by comedian Ian Hislop, whose magazine has criticised moves to demolish it.

VILLAGERS' attempts to save their Victorian railway station from the bulldozers have been backed by comedian Ian Hislop, whose magazine has criticised moves to demolish it.

Network Rail says if no new use is found for Trimley station by the end of the year, it will knock it down and replace it with a fence.

On Tuesday a meeting will be held to form a new group to try to save it, but time is rapidly running out.

Mr Hislop - famous for his appearances on TV's Have I Got News for You - is editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye, which is not afraid of taking on the authorities.

His magazine praises Suffolk Coastal council for trying to keep the abandoned and neglected property - said to be the last surviving Great Eastern country station.

“The roof may be in poor shape but the building is basically sound,” it says.

“Surely, in smart, fashionable Suffolk, a new use can be found - if not as a house then as a caf� or offices (an industrial park is nearby). It might also make rather a good railway station.”

Bryan Frost, chairman of Trimley St Mary Parish Council, said Network Rail would not agree to the formation of a preservation trust so a friends group is to be established.

“We are still doing the very best we can to keep the station but if no suitable end user can be found it will demolished early in the new year,” he said.

Possible new uses include a caf�, small business, wine bar or restaurant, or community use such as an arts centre with a gallery and workshop.

Network Rail says the building needs �100,000 spent on it and is too dangerous to leave standing.

The meeting to set up the friends group takes place on Tuesday at 7.30pm at Felixstowe Town Hall.