Three-time Olympic medalist Steve Backley is helping to name the high speed trains that will slash journey times from Ashford to London to 37 minutes from next December.

He has teamed up with train company Southeastern to encourage members of the public to nominate sporting legends to carry their names.

The first has been called Dame Kelly Holmes and passengers are invited to vote and decide the remaining 11 nameplates on www.southeastern2009.co.uk