SUPPORT for the Argus' Get Us Back on Track Campaign has continued to pour in.

Since we launched the campaign on July 3, we have received more than 260 coupons from our readers.

The coupons are backing our calls for the Ebbw Vale to Newport passenger rail line to be re-opened at the same time as the £15 million Ebbw Vale to Cardiff line in 2005.

And we have also received dozens of letters of support for the high-profile campaign - which has already been raised at the National Assembly less than two weeks after it was launched.

Peter Law, pictured, AM for Blaenau Gwent, who is a key supporter, said that the level of support displayed for the campaign by the public in Gwent did not surprise him in the least.

"It may surprise a lot of other people, but I have been fighting for this for the last 15 years," he said.

"This has been a great wish for the people of my constituency for a long time, and also for the people in Newport."

Mr Law added that it was "absolutely ridiculous" that when the line opened passengers would have to get off a train at Rogerstone, then take a bus into Newport, rather than continuing their journey by train. He said there is a "historic link" between Newport and Ebbw Vale, and that the overwhelming support our campaign has received is evidence of that.

Mr Law added he would continue to urge First Minister Rhodri Morgan to take the matter up with transport secretary Alistair Darling. Last week Mr Morgan, after initially refusing to discuss our campaign, finally admitted that he did support it - but only after Gwent members put pressure on him at the Assembly.

"I agree entirely with the principle," he said.