Kent's commuters will finally be able to see if the new high speed rail link really is all it has been billed as from today.

The first 'preview' service for the public left Ashford International just before 7am.

Travelling 140mph into St Pancras International, it is meant to open up the county to new businesses. However, fares on the preview trains are just over £26.60 from Ashford instead of the normal £22.20.

Speaking earlier this month, Charles Horton, the managing director from Southeastern, said:“I know that for some people price is the most important factor.

"So for those people there will be the existing services maintained on the network so they can use those services – but for those who wish to pay to have the faster journeys, these services will be here, and I encourage people to come along and travel on them”.