Rail Travellers from Sandwich and Deal will have a new High Speed Rail Service from October this year.

KCC made the announcement last night and it is hoped it will help boost business in the area as Pfizer withdraws from its Sandwich site.

The new service will slash the journey time from East Kent to London from October 3 by up to 90 minutes, but will cost just more than £150,000 to implement.

Three High Speed trains will run to London in the morning, leaving Sandwich at 0551, 0617 and 0647 and calling at Deal five minutes later. Trains will return from St Pancras at 1740 and 1840.

The news comes just days after it was announced high speed connections are to be laid on by Southeastern for the Open Golf Championship in Sandwich in July.

KCC Leader and Chairman of the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force Paul Carter said: "Journey times to Sandwich and Deal will be slashed by the introduction of this new High Speed service which will provide an immediate boost to business and job prospects in the area and has long been called for by local residents.

"We've worked closely with Southeastern, local MPs and Dover District Council to secure the service at minimum cost. At a time of exceptional need for the area with the exit of Pfizer in 2012, we were determined to provide new high speed links which would support local businesses and attract new investment into the area. It's great news and a real boost to Sandwich and Deal."

Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke added his support, saying: "I have campaigned hard for this rail upgrade and worked closely with KCC. I am delighted that High Speed trains will now stop at Sandwich and Deal.

"KCC has done a great job in cracking this deal which has long been called for by local residents and will be a real boost for local business."

MP for Thanet South and Sandwich Economic Development Task Force member Laura Sandys said: "Pfizer's announcement in February to leave Sandwich by the end of 2012 was a massive blow and we have been doing all we can to bring new employment opportunities to the area.

"This new high speed service is a tremendous incentive for new investment and business to locate here and great news for local people."