These youngsters from Doleham made their feelings known last week with their own protest at the station.

Doleham, like Winchelsea and Three Oaks, now has an almost non-existant stopping service since Southern introduced the Ashford to Brighton express trains on the route.

Southern says that the timetable can no longer accommodate stops at the smaller country stations, but angry residents have accused the rail company of trying to close down the stations by the back door.

Rye councillor Bernardine Fiddimore, who lives at Doleham, said: "These teenagers, and many others like them, are stranded in the countryside and can only watch as train after train chugs slowly past, but never stops.

"No public transport comes anywhere near their homes now they have lost the use of the trains. "How long will they and Paddington's cousin be waiting for the train that never comes?

"Will the new Franchise holders relent and provide even a limited service for the old, the young and those fed up with driving everywhere?

Rye rail action groups THWART and Marshlink are continuing to hold talks with Southern in a bid to get a better service.