High speed train services are to start from Deal and Sandwich a month early.

The new Southeastern service will begin on September 5 - thanks to funding from Kent County Council.

Extra high speed trains are also to be laid on at weekends throughout the county - so shoppers can take full advantage of the opening of the new Westfield shopping complex at Stratford on September 13.

The new KCC-funded services from Deal and Sandwich aim to "boost business confidence and support new employment opportunities in East Kent at the same time as Pfizer withdraws from the area."

It comes after the Open Golf championship last month, which attracted 37,000 spectators by train (see left).

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "Domestic high speed trains have already had a positive impact by introducing passengers from Kent fast and convenient access to central London - it is good news that Kent County Council and Southeastern have reached an agreement so that these services can be extended."

But all the services announced will LEAVE Kent early for London, and not return to the county until after the working day.

Services in the morning leave Sandwich at 05:50, 06:18 and 06:50, calling at Deal six minutes later.

In the evening there are two services to Deal and Sandwich, leaving St Pancras International at 17:40 and 18:40.

The new services will operate Monday to Friday and will take around 90 minutes. That compares with existing mainline services to Deal and Sandwich, which take around two hours and 15 minutes.

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council and chairman of the Sandwich Economic Development Task Force, said: "The new high speed rail services will act as a catalyst for employment opportunities and international investment in East Kent as Pfizer withdraws from the area and we promote the site's world-class facilities."

He said the move to slash train times to the capital meant the Pfizer site was now as close as Cambridge or Oxford.

Charlie Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal said: "This marks the fulfilment of a key pledge to Deal. The service is vital to boosting the local economy.

"I am delighted that Southeastern has agreed to provide this service and KCC has been able to fund it. We need more jobs and money in Deal and the fast train stopping at Deal is a key part of that."

Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet said: "The new high speed service is a victory for the residents of Sandwich, Deal and the Stour Villages. The new service will slice off an incredible 45 minutes from the average journey time into the capital."

Weekend services

More early morning weekend services have also been added.

From Saturday September 10 new services will leave Faversham (06:58), Margate (06:53) and Dover Priory (07:44).

Services will also start from St Pancras International to Faversham (06:55), Margate (07:42) and Dover Priory (08:12).

All these services will call at Stratford International. Also starting on Sunday September 11 will be an additional service departing Ashford International at 07:43.