A NEW petition launched by Chard primary school pupils has seen more than 500 people pledge their support for the reopening of the nearby train station.

The signatures flooded in over less than a week, leaving students and staff of Manor Court School ‘amazed’ by the result.

The new project came about after staff added three whole school focuses to their curriculum.

For the autumn, pupils have been looking at the history of Chrad, while next term will see them carry out a global study titled Around the World in 80 days.

The summer term includes an environmental study called What price progress?

Jo Wilkins, Year 3 teacher, said: “For the Autumn term, the whole school has been looking at Chard’s history, with Year 3 learning about the railways.

“We visited Chard Museum and the children were fascinated by the old photographs.

“After discussing the Chard Junction Railway line, the children completed research and discovered there has been lots of support over the past few years to get it reopened.

“They really understand the difference it would make to people in the community and their futures. They were so passionate about supporting this that they wrote petitions.”

As well as receiving a lot of support online, pupils are hoping to get some signatories by taking to the street later this week.

On Thursday (December 20), the children will hand out copies of the petition to local shops in Chard town centre and collecting further signatures on the playground after school.

They will also be taking their petition banners with them.

Luke Talmage is the headteacher at Manor Court School.

He added: “They have been amazed by the amount of support received online and were especially excited when Cllr Amanda Broom and Marcus Fysh shared our petition on social media.

“The children will handing out copies of the petition to local shops in Chard town and collecting further signatures on the playground after school, along with their petition signs.”

To sign the petition, visit change.org/p/somerset-county-council-the-reopening-of-chard-junction-railway-station.