High-speed international train operator Eurostar has seen passenger numbers and revenue rise in the first three months of the year.

Sales rose 7% to £211 million (£197m in the same period a year ago), while passenger numbers edged up 4% to 2.24m (2.15m).

Eurostar, which operates services between London, Ebbsfleeet, Ashford, Paris and Brussels, said the growth was driven by leisure traffic, with business travel largely flat.

More passengers are travelling beyond the traditional destinations of Paris and Brussels, with fare deals encouraging people to go to Amsterdam via Brussels.

Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: "The year got off to a strong start with sales revenues and passenger numbers on the up.

"Our core destinations continue to be a big draw for passengers but we have also seen particularly good take-up of our Amsterdam fares as passengers are increasingly keen to try out new leisure destinations by high speed rail."

Meanwhile, Eurostar expects this summer's Queen's Jubilee celebrations and Olympic and Paralympic Games - Eurostar is a sponsor - to attract more passengers from continental Europe.

The operator is staging the Traction arts festival in Granary Square, close to London's St Pancras International, as part of the London 2012 Festival.

It will bring together musical, dance and arts performers from across Europe.