Uncertainty created in the run-up to the Brexit vote and the fear of terrorism following the Brussels attack saw a slump in sales revenue and passenger numbers on the Eurostar.

In the first six months of 2016, the number of passengers using the Eurostar dropped by 3 per cent compared to the first half of 2015 from 2.8 million to 2.7 million.

This meant a 10 per cent drop in half-year turnover with sales revenue dropping from £232 million to £208 million in what has described as a ‘challenging second quarter’.

Euro 2016 and the unexpected success of the Welsh national team saw a two per cent increase in June with over a million passengers using the high speed rail to travel to Eurostar destinations.

Eurostar chief executive Nicolas Petrovic commented: “In the run-up to the EU referendum, we experienced a slowdown in business travel and the uncertainty following the vote to leave, combined with the Brussels terrorist attack, has continued to dampen demand.”

Mr Petrovic added that a weaker pound usually drives tourism from the continent, with visitors keen to take advantage of cheaper trips to London.