Ten months after smashing into a van on a level crossing, a high-speed Javelin train is back in service after under-going extensive repairs.

And it means good news for commuters during the rush hour with longer trains now in service as a consequence.

Train operator Southeastern says the train needed 20,000 hours "of TLC" after the smash last October.

The incident saw the train hit a delivery van on a level crossing near Teynham, between Faversham and Sittingbourne.

Emergency teams had to take the driver of the van to hospital for treatment.

The multi-million pound train was left with a major dent and had to be withdrawn from service.

A spokesman for Southeastern said: "After receiving 20,000 hours of TLC and expertise from the train doctors and specialists 170 miles away to bring it back to health.

"Passengers will benefit from fewer short trains in the peak times and the Faversham route will have the full 12 carriages for the 1855 evening commute from St Pancras."