Ticket sales on the Eurostar rose by 10.9% in 2008 despite the impact of the September tunnel fire.

Passenger numbers increased by 10.3%, with the decline in the value of the pound thought to have encouraged more people to visit Britain.

The new terminal at St Pancras is proving to be more accessible for the majority of British users than the former base at Waterloo.

The spiralling cost of fuel has also made air travel for short-haul journeys less attractive, adding to the appeal of the Eurostar for consumers and business travellers.