Ferry operator LD Lines is to launch services between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe nearly six months early.

The new operation by conventional freight and passenger ferry will start on February 12 instead of the previously announced start date of July 1.

It will use the berth previously used by fast ferry operator SpeedFerries, which collapsed late last year.

"We can clearly identify the strong commercial opportunities for a direct ferry link to be re-established between Dover and Boulogne following the departure of the previous operator and our research shows the demand is there from tourist passengers and freight customers, to bring forward the start of the service," said Christophe Santoni, LD Lines managing director.

"A profitable ferry service must rely on a combination of passenger and freight business and by introducing a conventional ship to operate between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe, both freight and tourist markets will have an extensive choice across our expanded route network."

The services will be provided alternately by Seven Sisters and Cote d’Albatre, both built in 2007 and which currently operate on the Newhaven-Dieppe roue under the Transmanche Ferries name, part of the LD Lines network. They can each carry 600 passengers and 300 cars or 52 freight vehicles or a combination of both.

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