Weymouth Rail Station was the platform for a group who are used to being on a stage.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of South West Trains and the 60th anniversary of Portland's Royal Manor Theatre Company (RMTC), whose next production, starting on May 23, just happens to be Arnold Ridley's Ghost Train.

Too good a chance to miss, RMTC's enterprising public relations officer Stanway Williams made the most of these coincidences.

Stanway wrote to South West Trains pointing all of this out and asked that if in view of these links through fact and fiction, the big train company might consider sponsoring the little theatre company.

"Imagine my surprise and delight," said Stanway, "when I got an immediate reply and the offer of £500 sponsorship!

"I had pointed out that we have a junior group, The Playmakers, and we encourage and help them with their productions, particularly the Christmas pantomime. A spokesman for South West Trains said they are keen to sponsor young people in projects targeted at keeping them off the streets."

Stanway added: "All of the RMTC are totally delighted by this spontaneous gesture and it will certainly go a long way in Playmaker projects. This sort of help means we can continue with live theatre in our community."

As befitted the occasion, the £500 cheque was presented within the sight and sound of trains at Weymouth Railway Station by station manager Nigel Gallichan and it was received by Ghost Train's Fal Vale station master, Saul, aka Graham Masters. Mr Gallichan said: "South West Trains are proud to support the community served by the company and we are really pleased to be involved with Portland's Playmakers and help their fundraising."