Totnes and Paignton rail ticket offices will remain open after the planned closure of ticket offices across England has been scrapped.

The plans from rail companies had caused concern from unions and regular rail ticket office users and were part of the ongoing dispute between rail companies and the trade unions.

The controversial plans were laid out by rail companies to save money post-pandemic after the industry had been heavily supported by the government and were ordered to save tax-payer money.

MPs on the Transport Select Committee signed a letter to the Department for Transport only last week saying that plans went "too far, too fast", despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying that closing ticket offices was "the right thing for the British public and British taxpayers."

Totnes Town councillor, Cllr Luisa Auletta of the Totnes Traffic and Transport Forum, said: "We are really pleased to receive this positive news - we've argued strongly that retaining the ticket office is important to our community and especially crucial in ensuring that those in our community who depend on in-person bookings are not discriminated against.

"Totnes train station ticket office provides a critical service to residents in our town and many others in neighbouring parishes. We're thrilled that the ticket office will remain open and hope that this gives comfort to all those who use its services."

Anthony Mangnall MP had been campaigning against the closure of the ticket offices at Totnes and Paignton train stations, said: "I'm delighted that government has listened to the local campaigns that have been run across the country including mine to keep Totnes and Paignton train station ticket offices open. It makes a huge difference to those that use these services and I'm really pleased that they've decided to keep ticket offices open providing an essential local service.

"My campaign which ran across the whole constituency from July until recently had thousands of responses and I'm very grateful to all of those who took the time to play a part in making sure the government review this situation and keep our offices open."