Eurostar services from Ashford International to Brussels resumed this morning.

The services are timetabled to enable business travellers to arrive in the Belgian capital before 9am.

Weekly commuters will also be able to travel to Brussels on a Sunday evening.

Fares start from £59 return and allow travellers from Ashford to travel through to any station in Belgium.

Damian Green, MP for Ashford, speaking at the launch, said: "This is a great day for Ashford.

"The direct Brussels link is really important for the town's attraction as a business centre, and the successful campaign to bring it back was a model of polite persuasion."

Cllr Alex King, deputy leader of Kent County Council said: "We are very pleased that Eurostar have listened to the people who use their service and welcome the reintroduction of the Ashford to Brussels link.

"It is extremely important that Ashford has this link, which is an integral part of its regeneration plans.

"This is all about backing Kent businesses and Kent people. The service will help improve inward investment and provide added impetus to the local economy through tourism."

Nick Mercer, Eurostar’s commercial director, said: “We’re delighted that the strong growth in passengers on the London–Brussels route since the opening of High Speed 1 has enabled us to reintroduce a direct link between Ashford International and Brussels.

“Whilst this service is likely to be initially loss-making, we will be actively supporting the Ashford–Brussels service with a series of marketing initiatives, designed to stimulate travel on this route.”

Brussels services leave Ashford at 6.27am Monday to Friday, 8.28am on Saturdays and 6.55pm on Sundays.