Deal and Sandwich has claimed victory in the campaign for all day High Speed Trains, it has been announced today.

The news was published in Southeastern's 2014 timetable and sent to stakeholders including Deal's MP Charlie Elphicke.

He said: "It’s great news to see the proposals go further than we dared hope with Walmer and Martin Mill slated to get the service too. Working together with Fast Trains for Deal we are on the threshold of achieving a real and lasting victory for our community.

Passengers alighting at Deal, Sandwich, Walmer and Martin Mill will benefit from the off peak all day and weekend services direct to London.

Ian Killbery from the Trains4Deal campaign group, said: "It's what we have been fighting for."

He spoke after the news broke this morning (Tuesday).

"I need to go away and study the timetable more. There will be pros and there will be some cons too."

Mr Elphicke added: “Already our economy is seeing the benefits of the commuting service. These benefits will increase substantially with an all day off peak high speed service.”

For the full story and reaction see this week's Mercury out on Thursday.