Eurostar is carrying out further checks on its newest trains but has remained tight-lipped over when they may be brought back into service and stop at Ashford International.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling to the UK from France who booked tickets to Ashford are being given less than 24 hours notice alerting them to the need to stay on until Ebbsfleet - and return to Ashford on a High Speed One train.

The need to continue to Ebbsfleet is adding more than an hour to journey times, including a wait of 20 minutes at Ebbsfleet.

The new trains were given a high-profile launch in April with the transport secretary Chris Grayling declaring that the service represented “a massive boost to the local economy” and was an example of the government’s commitment to modernise the network “delivering faster, more direct services and more comfortable journeys.”

But more than four months later, the e320 trains are still unable to stop at Ashford and there is no timetable for them to resume.

No explanation has been given as to why they can't stop at Ashford International.

Eurostar said: “Our e320 trains are going through further testing at Ashford station whilst we investigate the technical issues. We are actively working with the infrastructure provider and in the meantime our e300 and TMST trains continue to serve Ashford station.”