A celebratory send-off at 5.56am today (Monday) marked the start of the first high speed train passenger service from Deal to London St Pancras.

Trains4deal campaigners Ian Killbery and Tom Rowland joined early morning commuters for a civic send-off on the platform with Deal MP Charlie Elphicke and Deal Mayor Cllr Jim Cronk.

Mr Killbery said: "This is an historic moment for the town, signalling hope for regeneration with much faster links to and from London, especially if we get the service to develop and expand."

Monday’s start to the new timetable follows a long battle to bring fast trains to Deal and the trains4deal was set up following a public meeting at the Town Hall in January 2010. Sandwich joined the campaign earlier this year.

Mr Killbery added: "Trains4deal will keep up the pressure for daytime services that will be of more benefit to local tourism and off-peak travellers - by the new franchise in 2014, if not before."

For details visit http://www.trains4deal.com/

* To read full story see the East Kent Mercury on Thursday.