A rail summit on Monday will press for better train services between Ashford and Hastings.

The seaside town’s MP Amber Rudd is spearheading a campaign for electrification of the whole Marshlink line between the two towns.

Miss Rudd will meet with Transport Minister Patrick McLoughlin and others to press her case, presenting him with a picture of a high speed train at Hastings station.

National group Railfuture and the St Leonards and Hastings Rail Improvement Programme are campaigning for electrification of the whole Marshlink line to Ashford International.

Currently the electrified track from Hastings to Ashford only reaches as far as Ore, the first station.

The picture of the Javelin train was painted by Railfuture member Mike Turner, who said: “Electrifying Marshlink between Ore and Ashford would mean the frequency of services between Hastings and Ashford could be doubled to two trains per hour.”

Miss Rudd said: “We are now firmly on the journey to vastly improved rail travel to and from Hastings.”

For more go to www.railfuture.org.uk/Marshlink