Eurostar services from Ashford International to Paris have a secure future, the borough council has been assured.

The news came after a meeting between council bosses and Ashford MP Damian Green with Eurostar representatives.

They were told that the services were performing well and would continue.

Ashford Borough Council chief executive David Hill said: “The meeting was encouraging.

“Eurostar confirmed they are conducting a six-month review of the new pattern of services as we had pressed them to do.

“They also confirmed that the Ashford to Paris services are currently performing above expectations and therefore have a secure future.

“The Ashford-Lille-Disney service is also performing well, with more than 150 passengers joining at Ashford.”

Services from Ashford to Paris had been reduced last year, and wiped out to Brussels, after the opening of the new Ebbsfleet station last November.

Council leader Paul Clokie said: “This news quashes fears that Eurostar would pull services from Ashford altogether.

“The talks also revealed that Eurostar has listened to concerns over the availability and price of the Ashford-Lille-Brussels services and have now moved to offer a return standard fare of £59 provided there is a free seat on the desired services.”

The Eurostar team said they would reflect on this as part of their current review, which is likely to be completed in mid-June.

Mr Green said: “We are pleased that there appears to be no threat of any further reductions in international services and that Eurostar are listening to our concerns about the current pattern of services.”