Hoverspeed's Newhaven-Dieppe fast ferry is booming.

It carried 285,000 passengers in its first six months and 70,000 cars - way above expectations.

The company says it has proved there is a demand for the oldest regular English Channel route, which was under threat last year when P&0 Stena announced it was pulling out after making an

£8 million a year loss on the route.

Hoverspeed stepped in with its fast ferry SuperSeaCat Two on April 23 this year. The company has since provided a reliable

regular service on the 64-mile route, with only a few cancellations due to rough seas.

During the peak summer holiday months, the fast ferry was making three trips a day.

In August, Hoverspeed announced it was to operate an all-year round service and is currently operating a four-day service from Friday to Monday.

David Stafford, Hoverspeed's Newhaven-based route manager, said: "The figures are tremendous news for the ferry service and confirm the continuing popularity of the route.

"We have proved that by operating a reliable fast car ferry service with high levels of customer service, the route can compete effectively with the short sea crossings."

Kevin Charles, the company's public relations manager, said: "We have exceeded our expectations on this route. We did have a forecast of passenger numbers and cars we expected to carry in the first six months and we are well above that figure.'"

SuperSeaCat Two will be

having its annual refit in January, when there will be no service on the route.

A new first class lounge will be constructed, doubling the capacity for first class passengers. A computerised ride control system will also be installed, which will reduce the pitching movement.

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