FERRY firm Hoverspeed has moved nearer to an all-year, daily service from Newhaven.

From November 1, Hoverspeed is extending its weekend winter service to Dieppe to run on Mondays.

The move is the latest extension to the service, which was taken on by the firm following the departure of P&O Stena from the town amid claims it was losing £8 million a year.

But since Hoverspeed took over the route, the service has gone from strength to strength, already being extended from a summer April to September service to all year round.

During the winter and autumn months, the ferry will now operate four days a week from Friday to Monday .

The firm will also provide a daily service from October 20 to 29 to coincide with the half-term school holiday.

The latest decision has been

welcomed across the town but

Hoverspeed was today urged to

continue working to bring a

full week, all-year service to the port.

Julian Rea, of the Newhaven Economic Partnership, said: "Four days out of seven is a move in the right direction. We are looking to the restoration of a full service next year.

"We will not be fully satisfied until we see this and hopefully this may happen.

"We continue to give Hoverspeed our fullest support and congratulate it. We continue to be delighted with the way Hoverspeed is increasingly showing its confidence in the Newhaven to Dieppe line.

"It is a move in the right direction and we are hoping it will restore a full service next year."

Newhaven councillor David Rogers, a member of East Sussex County Council, said: "This means people can have a long weekend in France if they want to.

"It is more evidence for people who live here that the years of waiting for regeneration are over."

David Stafford, Hoverspeed's route director, said: "We continue to see very strong carrying on the weekend service.

"The addition of a daily departure on Mondays further promotes the opportunities for short breaks and day trips to Dieppe and beyond in the run-up to Christmas."

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