A regional train operator is celebrating after being shortlisted nine times across seven categories in this year's Community Rail Awards.National Express East Anglia said that David Turner's Brief Encounter café at Wymondham station had been shortlisted in the best station retail outlet category.

A regional train operator is celebrating after being shortlisted nine times across seven categories in this year's Community Rail Awards.

National Express East Anglia said that David Turner's Brief Encounter café at Wymondham station had been shortlisted in the best station retail outlet category. The company said that Mr Turner has developed a sustainable business, offering an excellent range of food and drink with great service, in an atmosphere that is truly nostalgic and comfortable.

In the passengers matter category, National Express has been shortlisted for their initiative to introduce part-time staff at four rural stations, none of which had been staffed for more than 40 years. Company employees now sell tickets and provide information for customers during the busier morning periods and other times of peak demand at North Walsham, Wymondham, Brundall and Attleborough stations.

The company features twice in the best station garden category, with the garden at Sheringham station, created and tended by the local Women's Institute, being nominated by the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership. Sudbury station garden has also been nominated.

National Express features twice in the best marketing publication category. Firstly, with the East Suffolk Line Walks Guide, and secondly with the Widen the Choice Partnership publication Explore the Yare Valley, a joint initiative involving National Express East Anglia, the RSPB, the National Trust and Natural England.

Janet Cloke of the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership has been shortlisted in the outstanding volunteer category and Woodbridge station has been shortlisted in the most enhanced community/heritage station category. The Widen the Choice Partnership has also been nominated in the transport integration category.

Andrew Goodrum, business director for National Express East Anglia, said: “I would like to thank our staff, partners and volunteers across our network for their hard work in achieving so many places on the Community Rail Award shortlist. Being shortlisted illustrates our deep-seated commitment to creating sustainable local train services. We will continue to take a proactive and positive approach to train service development and delivery, seeking to improve our service still further.”