by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Campaigners have won their campaign for high-speed trains to stop at Sandwich for the Open.

Southeastern confirmed today that it will run direct services between St Pancras International and Sandwich from July 14 - 17, slashing journey times from 135 minutes on conventional trains to 80.

There will be two direct services an hour in the morning, and two services an hour back from lunchtime onwards. The first will leave the capital at 4.38am on the Thursday and Friday -in time for tee-off at Royal St George's - with a 5.35am first departure on Saturday, and 6.42am on the Sunday. Around 180,000 golf fans are expected to attend the Championship over the four days.

Vince Lucas, Southeastern's Kent-based service delivery director, said: "The Open is the biggest sporting event to take place in Kent, and is a great opportunity to show what the region has to offer. We are determined to help make this important event a success by providing this High Speed service, which is sure to be very attractive for spectators travelling from London."

Peter Dawson, chief executive of the R&A, organisers of the Open, was delighted with the decision: "Whenever The Open comes to Royal St George's, we welcome a large number of enthusiastic spectators from London and the surrounding areas.

"This new service brings The Open Championship closer to the capital than ever before, and we hope that it will encourage more people to enjoy a day at golf's oldest Major."

But the new services will mean fewer high-speed services from Margate and Ramsgate, although Southeastern insists there will still be peak services for commuters to and from London. A peak day high-speed return costs £38.20.

Meanwhile, Eurostar, the high-speed operator between London, Kent and mainland Europe has reported an eight per cent surge in outbound bookings for Easter bank holiday weekend compared to the same Easter weekend last year.