THERE is still confusion today over the future of Hoverspeed's fast ferry service between Dover and Calais.

The company has closed its operations for the winter months for the past two seasons, and it was expected the same would happen this year.

Hoverspeed is still advertising crossings until December 23, and this week added its 2006 schedule to its website, starting again on March 16.

But staff say they have been given their notice and have not been told if they will be employed by the company again.

There have been rumours that Hoverspeed could cease operations today although an announcement by the company in France has indicated that one craft will be withdrawn today, and the second will go next Monday.

There was another report that a businessman was making enquiries about chartering a Seacat to continue the service from Dover hoverport should Hoverspeed pull out.