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Germany’s state-owned railway company is planning to run passenger trains through the Channel Tunnel in direct competition with Eurostar.

It is understood that Eurotunnel is encouraging the German bid because it is keen to see greater competition and more traffic.

Deutsche Bahn’s plan could see direct trains from London to Cologne in only four hours and to Frankfurt in less than five. Already German ICE high-speed trains are running into Paris the company is keen to extend its network to Britain.

The German operator recently acquired EWS, Britain’s biggest freight train company, which runs up to four services a day through the Channel Tunnel.

Deutsche Bahn is likely to face strong opposition to its plan from Eurostar.

Speaking to the TimesOnline, a Eurotunnel spokesman, when asked whether the company would support a German bid, said: “We have to be very careful because we have a very good relationship with Eurostar. I can’t really answer that at this stage.”