THE spirit of American Indian princess Pocahontas has come alive in Kent’s newest station.

In a moving ceremony, her descendants unveiled a plaque to Gravesend’s celebrated adopted daughter in the main consource of Ebbsfleet International.

The £100million station, key to the economic transformation of Gravesham and Dartford, is due to open in September.

International trains will stop there at the end of next year, with domestic high-speed trains services using the station for the first time in 2009.

Cllr Alex King, deputy leader of Kent County Council, welcomed a VIP delegation of Native American chiefs from Virginia.

He told guests that it was an historic day. He said: "This station is enormously important because it begins to create new opportunities for this part of the world."

Kent and Virginia are forging close links, and next year will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first English settlement of Jamestown in 1607.

Stephen Adkins, of the Chickahominy tribe, said the shape of the world was transformed by the events of 1607, and Ebbsfleet would revolutionise travel in Kent.

"It’s very appropriate to recognise Pocahontas in this way," he said.

The chiefs had earlier starred in Gravesham’s summer festival and visited the town’s St George’s church where Pocahontas was buried at the age of 22 in 1617.

Anne Richardson, of the Rappahannock Tribe, said how much she have been moved by the love of the British people for Pocahontas.

"That love for her is something we share on both sides of the Pond," she said. "I hope this station will bless your community."