Kent tourism chiefs are capitalising on the stay-at-home trend by taking their campaign to London.

Londoners and visitors to London are the target of an advertising campaign that exploits research showing that 63 per cent of British people will be taking a break or holiday in England this year.

VisitKent, Southeastern and Kent County Council have teamed up to launch the London Advertising Campaign which focuses on two for one offers.

The campaign involving posters at mainline London stations across the Southeastern network and on the Tube, as well as radio advertising, leaflets, e-marketing and a website, aims to get Londoners and visitors to London to come to the county by train.

VisitKent chairman Amanda Cottrell said: "VisitKent is perfectly placed to co-ordinate this campaign and we are grateful to our investors for their strong support and for reducing their admissions to enable the 2FOR1 offers. Even Canterbury Cathedral is participating, the first time in the Cathedral’s history, since 597AD, that they have offered 2 for 1 entry."

Kevin Lynes, Kent County Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration, added: "The tourism industry is dominated by small businesses that help to highlight all that is great and unique about Kent.

"It is vital we support these and other small businesses through these difficult times. The London Campaign produced good results last year and we are confident that it will be even more effective this year and result in growth in the visitor economy."

Vince Lucas, commercial director of Southeastern, which recently launched High Speed 1 preview services between Ashford, Ebbsfleet and St Pancras International, said Kent was easily accessible from London by train.

"We are investing massively in Kent’s public transport infrastructure and our new high speed rail services will start operating later this year, making a day trip or short break to Kent even more appealing."