EUROSTAR is facing fresh calls to reconsider its decision to axe several services from Ashford International station when the new Ebbsfleet Station in north Kent opens in November.

The call comes after the company met European Commission officials in Brussels to explain its plans.

Eurostar has faced a storm of protests and a petition protesting at the cutbacks signed by some 14,000 people was handed into 10 Downing Street on Friday.

After the Brussels meeting, which was also attended by council chiefs from both Kent and France, it emerged Commission officials had expressed doubts over the company's claim that a direct service to Brussels would not be viable.

They had also disagreed with the company's assessment of the potential impact on its customers of the changes.

Under Eurostar's plans, the number of daily services from Ashford will go from 10 to just four and there will be no direct service to Brussels.

After the delegation, Eurostar insisted passengers stood to benefit because overall there would be a third more services from the two Kent stations.

In a statement, the company said: "Eurostar will be increasing levels of service for Kent, strengthening its position as the gateway to Europe and providing many more people throughout the UK with greater access to the continent."

Passengers would enjoy an excellent, competitive and balanced service that would meet the requirements of most passengers, it added.

But council chiefs and MEPs said the campaign would continue and welcomed the intervention of the Commission, despite the fact that it has no legal powers to force Eurostar to reconsider.

Cllr Alex King, deputy leader of KCC, said: "This is the first time Eurostar has faced a joint call from authorities in both France and the UK to reconsider and it should give them pause for thought.

"The Commission's ability to intervene is limited but it does have considerable influence."