RESIDENTS in a quiet Weymouth street are celebrating victory after Great Western Railway (GWR) finally silenced a noisy train.

Princes Drive residents have been campaigning to stop the Weymouth Wizard weekend train idling outside their back gardens with its engine still running.

The train arrives into Weymouth from Bristol at around 11.45am each Saturday and leaves at around 5pm, meaning those who live in the street were forced to deal with engine noise and the stench of diesel fumes for five hours each week.

Wayne Wilcocks said the smell was "horrendous" and meant that his grandchildren could not play outside.

He added: "Sometimes it is like a blue haze.

"You cannot have anyone over. You have got to do it on a Sunday."

Neighbour Leslie Wheeler said: "It stinks of diesel, so you have got to shut your doors and windows."

Bernie Fox said that "it makes washing smell" when clothes are left outside.

Princes Drive couple Diane and Mark Whitchelo wrote both to GWR and to South Dorset MP Richard Drax, complaining about the noise and the smell.

Last week, residents' wishes came true when the train's engine was switched off.

Mrs Whitchelo said: "I just could not believe the relief. Saturday afternoon was bliss.

"I am hoping upon hope that it is an end to it."

Mr Wheeler said he thought it was "lovely and peaceful" without the engine noise.

He added: "I think they have had to stick to it. They will have to keep it up."

Mr Wilcocks said: "It would be lovely if it changes, but the proof of the pudding will be in the next week or so if they maintain it."

A GWR spokesman said: "Running train engines for longer than necessary is not in anyone's interest and our drivers have clear instructions to shut down engines when idling unnecessarily.

"We have investigated the situation on the railway near Princes Drive to ensure that these policies are being followed and engine running is kept to a minimum."