Transport minister Baroness Kramer has officially opened new facilities at Folkestone West train station in Kent.

Some £1.7 million has been invested in the building, providing a new waiting room and booking office, an extra 200 parking spaces, additional bike racks and an upgraded customer information system.

A new forecourt area has also been created, with a customer drop-off point, and a new ticket office designed to meet accessibility requirements.

The public address system has been upgraded, while a new ticket vending machine and information monitors have been installed.

Baroness Kramer said: "These improvements at Folkestone West will transform the passenger experience, providing greater comfort and convenience, and making it easier for people to travel to work and leisure opportunities."

The work, which was undertaken in order to accommodate rising passenger numbers, was funded by the Department for Transport and Network Rail through the National Stations Improvement Programme and Station Commercial Project Fund.