Eurostar has broken the record for largest number of passengers ever carried in a single month as travellers lap up services to the south of France.

More than a million people were carried in July, an increase of 5.1% compared to the same time last year.

The company, which stops at Ebbsfleet International and Ashford International, is expecting another impressive month, with 148,000 passengers already booked to travel over the August bank holiday.

A new direct service from London to the south of France has sold 100,000 tickets to date.
It comes after the firm revealed a record number of people travelled with the company in the second quarter of the year, continuing its bounce back after sales figures fell in the wake of terrorist attacks in Paris.

The high-speed rail company carried 2.8 million customers in the second quarter of the year – the most it has ever transported in three months – and an increase of 3% compared to the same time last year.

Sales revenues reached £232 million, an increase of 1.5% on last year, having slid by 6% in the first quarter of the year to £215 million after terrorist attacks in Paris and the closure of Eurotunnel following a lorry fire.

The number of business travellers also rose by 10% compared to the second quarter of last year.

The company also said its new fleet of e320 trains – which have more seats – is now in the final stage of testing and due to launch at the end of the year.

Chief executive Nicolas Petrovic said: “We have seen unprecedented demand over the summer months as customers are taking advantage of our frequent services and new routes.

"With passenger numbers increasing year-on-year, we are looking forward to the arrival of our new trains. The combination of more seats, superior comfort and state-of-the art design is set to transform the travel experience.”