PRIME Minister David Cameron says he wants to see Worcester served by better train services - using a Commons debate to back a hard-hitting campaign towards making it happen.

During today's Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) the PM called the city's train network "vital" and revealed how he is personally supporting the 'Fast Track Worcester' campaign.

During the debate city MP Robin Walker also told the premier about Worcestershire's economy being the third fastest growing in England, highlighting the figures revealed by your Worcester News on Saturday.

Amid the glare of the national spotlight, Mr Walker said: "Worcester is one of the three fastest growing economies of the UK (behind London and Oxfordshire) and youth unemployment is down by two-thirds since it peaked under Labour.

"Businesses are investing in our world class county, but one of the factors holding us back is the long journey times by rail from the capital.

"Can I ask the Prime Minister, whose constituency is on the same line to join me in the 'Fast Track Worcester' campaign which will deliver a faster rail service?"

Mr Cameron said: "I am very keen to join (him) in this campaign - it would benefit my constituency too (Witney, near Oxford).

"We have seen a dualling of some parts of the Cotswold Line in recent years and improvements to the car parks, which is all to the good - this is a vital railway service."

He was then distracted by Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, who was joining Labour frontbenchers in heckling across the chamber, and got into a debate with him over "economic credibility".

After decades of below-par rail links from the capital, late last year Mid-Worcestershire Sir Peter Luff launched a competition to find a campaign slogan to improve it.

It follows the success of 'Norwich in 90', which helped secure much improved services from London to East Anglia.

There are 36 daily services from London to East Anglia now, compared to just 15 to Worcester and Evesham, and the journeys to south Worcestershire take around 30 minutes longer despite similar mileage.

In January Sir Peter announced Fast Track Worcester as the campaign slogan, saying he'd been "inundated" with suggestions.

Worcestershire's economy grew 16.8 per cent between 2008 and 2013, the third best in England and one of only five to increase its output by more than three per cent a year, as we revealed last week.

It follows serious major investment in the county, including around £600 million from the private sector in the last three years alone.

Today's PMQs was largely taken up by Labour leader Ed Miliband trying to taunt the premier over immigration, with Mr Cameron responding by talking up the economy.