An all-year cross-Channel passenger and freight ferry could be operating from Sussex by the end of next month.

Corsica Ferries has announced plans to run a service on the Newhaven-Dieppe route.

There was delight at the news in Newhaven today, with civic leaders hoping the ferry's arrival would create dozens of jobs.

The new service was announced by Charles Revet, president of the conseil general of the Seine Maritime region of France, which has been negotiating to take over part of the port from current operator Sea Containers.

The conseil general - the French equivalent of an English county council - has signed a deal with Corsica Ferries to run the new service when the deal is finalised.

Newhaven has suffered economically since the last conventional ferry stopped running in 1999, throwing hundreds of people on both sides of the Channel out of work.

Hoverspeed currently runs a summer-only Sea Cat passenger catamaran to Dieppe.

If negotiations between Sea Containers and the conseil general are successful the new service could start by the end of February.

East Sussex county councillor David Rogers said: "This is brilliant news and confirmation of the discussions we have been having with President Revet over the last few months."

Julian Rea, programme manager for the NEP, said he expected about 30 customs and immigrations jobs to be created.

The ship destined for the Newhaven-Dieppe line is the Sardinia Vera, which will be transferred from service in Corsica.

Newhaven Harbour may first need to be dredged to allow the vessel, which is much larger and deeper than the Sea Cat, to enter.

The Sardinia Vera can carry 50 lorries and 600 to 700 passengers. It can handle rougher seas than the Hoverspeed vessel.