Eurostar says a new direct service to Amsterdam is likely to offer passengers the opportunity to travel from Ashford and Ebbsfleet stations.

The company has announced it will start the twice daily direct route from 2016 between London and Amsterdam.

Journey times are expected to be around four hours and the service aims to compete with one of largest international airline markets in Europe, which attracts over three million business and leisure passengers.

A spokeswoman for the company said no decisions had been made about the route but confirmed the two Kent stations were likely to feature on some of the services.

Nicolas Petrovic, Eurostar chief executive, said: “We have long been ambitious for expansion to new destinations so this announcement marks a major advance in our growth plans.

"With over three million passengers travelling by air between London and Amsterdam, this is one of Europe’s most popular routes.

"Our fast, comfortable, point-to-point service will greatly enhance the links between the UK and the near continent, revolutionising travel between these important financial and tourist hubs.”

Services will run via Brussels to Amsterdam stopping at Antwerp, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport and Amsterdam Centraal.

The agreement has been submitted to the Dutch parliament for ratification, a process which a Eurostar expects to be completed within the next few months.