THE author of a hugely-successful booklet for walkers was presented with an award at a ceremony held at Crediton Railway Station.

Peter Craske, author of the Tarka Line Walks booklet, received the Best Marketing Publication prize in the recent National Community Rail Awards.

The presentation was made by Neil Buxton, general manager of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships, which organised the awards.

Published in March, Peter Craske's booklet includes 22 walks, two from each station on the Tarka Line, all researched and written up by him.

Mr Craske, with his dog, Scrumpy, walked each of the routes he describes in the booklet.

He also oversaw production of the booklet, which was published by the Tarka Rail Association.

A total of 6,000 copies have already been distributed and the booklet has just been reprinted.

Neil Buxton said: "I am delighted to be visiting the Tarka Line to congratulate Peter Craske and the Tarka Rail Association on their success at the National Community Rail Awards.

"There were some terrific entries this year and the judging was very hard. It never ceases to amaze me how many ordinary people contribute to giving their local railway lines a sustainable future, be it through promotion of the train service, making their stations centres of the community or indeed the 101 other activities demonstrated in the awards this year."

Peter Craske, who grew up in Morchard Bishop, said: "Researching and testing these walks has been a total labour of love. I've known the line for more than 60 years and wanted, through this booklet, to share with others the countryside that I've loved since childhood.

"Scrumpy, my 'rescue lab', has been an enthusiastic companion, losing six kg testing out the trails!

"It has been an absolute joy producing this guide.

"I have plans for more books of walks from every railway station in Devon."

Neil was accompanied by Richard Burningham, manager of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and John Phillips, chairman of the Tarka Rail Association.

The Tarka Line Walks booklet is available free of charge from the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership by calling 01752 233094 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]

• Mike Day, owner of The Stationmaster's Café at Barnstaple station was also an award recipient.

The cafe won the Best Station Retail Outlet award, the second on the line to win in recent years after Crediton Station Tea Rooms' victory in 2005. The Café has just celebrated its first anniversary. Mike Day worked hard for four years turning the then very dilapidated former station master's house into the first class café it is today.

Alan Quick