A new train service is to be launched between Harwich and London Liverpool Street.

The journey will run straight through, meaning passengers will not have to change at Manningtree.

It was announced by Theo Steel, project director of One Railway, at a special reception to mark the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Mayflower Line.

The through service is expected to be introduced in December as part of One's new timetable.

Currently, only a few trains each day travel between the town and city, most services meaning a change at Manningtree.

A spokesman for One said: "The service still hasn't been finalised yet, but we are looking at introducing a service which will stop at all the branch line stations and go through to London."

He said new railway workshops were to be built in Clacton, providing 25 jobs

Published Wednesday August 18, 2004