Southeastern passengers are to benefit from 68 extra carriages being added to trains on its busiest services.

The company says these will provide more than 5,000 additional seats into London at the morning peak time alone.

The Department for Transport, working with Southeastern and Govia Thameslink Railway has approved the transfer of the carriages, which were previously in use on Thameslink and Southern services.

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They are due to be modified for use on the Southeastern network in the coming weeks.

It means passengers on the Maidstone East line will enjoy more air conditioned modern carriages with some peak-time trains doubling in length.

On other lines commuters will see a number of peak-time trains lengthened from eight to 10 carriages while some six-car trains will lengthen to eight.

David Statham, managing director, Southeastern said: “We are delighted to have secured these carriages for our passengers.

"Longer trains will mean more seats, more space and more comfortable journeys.

"Some of these carriages will be deployed this week and we are looking forward to introducing the rest over the coming weeks."

The first 16 carriages will be introduced in mid-September and the remainder in phases by November.

Paul Maynard, Rail Minister, said: “We are committed to getting passengers across the country more comfortable, reliable and efficient journeys that they want."

Tom Tugendhat, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, welcomed this announcement, which will affect commuters in his constituency.

He said: "For years, passengers have suffered from overcrowded services in West Kent. I’m pleased that the government have allowed Southeastern to secure these carriages.

"This will mean that commuters from East Malling, West Malling and Borough Green stations will not only have some peak time trains doubling in length, but also an increase in air conditioned carriages on the service."