Eurostar has cause for a double celebration today as it marks its 18th birthday - and five years since the high-speed line began from St Pancras.

The cross-Channel rail operator has carried more than 130million people since it began in 1994.

It carried 38,000 people in its first month, but now carries about 10million people a year.

Communications director Mary Walsh said: "It has been one of the great success stories that we are not just carrying people from London to the continent but also people from Kent.

"For families going over to Disneyland Paris, being able to park your car in Ebbsfleet or Ashford International and just get on the train has been tremendously convenient."

The fleet has also announced its trains are being re-vamped by the same people who fit out luxury cars for Ferrari.

"They will be in exactly the same design and style as our current trains but it is going to be a brand new fleet so it is a very exciting time for us," she added.