The return of off-peak direct high speed services from Deal, Walmer and Martin Mill has been hailed.

The services will resume from Sunday, December 12.

It means hourly services will run from 09:31 until 14:31 between Deal and St Pancras via Dover Priory. These services will start from Ramsgate.

Additionally, there will be services between St Pancras and Ramsgate via Deal again hourly between 09:37 and 13:37.

This is only a partial re-introduction of the services via Dover, which provides the three stations with fast links to London.

It doesn't include direct high speed services from Deal to St Pancras via Ramsgate.

Those travelling in late afternoons and evenings must still change at Ashford.

Calls are still being made to Southeastern for a full reinstatement of pre-pandemic services.

The Mayor of Deal, Cllr Chris Turner, said “This is good news, tinged with disappointment.

"We all want our full high speed service back.

"We are as far away from the rest of the country as you can get and HS1 not only connected us to Kent and London but to the rest of the country and the continent.

"Ten years after our late former Councillor Ian Killbery shouted his rallying cry “a full direct high speed service all day and all week”, we will continue to shout it loud and clear at Southeastern.”

Deal and Dover MP, Natalie Elphicke, agrees but says the services are designed around demand.

She said: "Following my meetings with the rail minister and Southeastern, they have confirmed that the high speed service on this route will continue to be reviewed in line with demand.

"I’m pleased the December timetable revision has seen the return of off-peak direct high speed services from Deal, Walmer and Martin Mill, as well as better connections timed between highspeed trains and mainline trains.

“I continue to make our community’s case for the all-day high speed train services to be returned in full.

"It is really important we show that we do want and use these services locally, so I hope that people will take advantage of the upgraded high speed services in the coming weeks and months.

“I will continue to press on this matter."

Southeastern has been approached for a comment.