THE first section of the Channel Tunnel rail link was officially opened today at a VIP event.

Government ministers, including Transport Secretary Alistair Darling, attended ceremonies at Waterloo International, and Sandling in Kent.

The event signals the start of high-speed rail travel in Kent, with Eurostar trains reaching speeds of up to 186mph.

But ordinary passengers will have to wait until September 28 before they can take the Eurostar over the new stretch of line between Cheriton, near Folkestone, and Fawkham Junction in North West Kent.

The new section will shave 20 minutes off journey times between London, Paris and Brussels.

Commuters will not benefit from new domestic trains using the new line until completion of the second section - between Ebbsfleet, near Gravesend, and St Pancras - in 2007.