BOULOGNE'S new ferry link with Kent signals the town's comeback after years in the shadow of Calais.

Civic chiefs expect an overdue renaissance of a town for centuries loved by the British but sidelined for nearly 10 years by massive investment in its northern rival.

Stena Sealink ferries pulled out in 1992 and Hoverspeed axed its SeaCat service in 2000, severing Boulogne's economic umbilical cord with Kent.

A coach has not arrived by ferry in Boulogne since 1992. SeaCats could not carry coaches.

All coaches now use Calais and head south to Boulogne. Coaches still make the trip but nowhere near as many as when there was a direct link.

The Transmanche market was vital to prosperity. After direct links ended, trade in the town plunged by around 30 per cent, unemployment rose and planned investment was put on hold.

While 7,000 people work in the fishing industry, there is little profit these days to be made out of fish.

The specialist shops that make Boulogne so attractive to Kentish visitors have struggled on.

Now they have something to look forward to as SpeedFerries, a subsidiary of Danish operator Mols-Linien prepares to start a Dover-Boulogne service in May.

The agreement signed on February 4 triggered a surge of investment. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pumping 4 million Euros into a new pontoon to take the large craft, which can carry 800 passengers, 200 cars and four coaches.

A new shop will be opened in the terminal, effectively mothballed for the past three years. Dilapidated houses and shops are being renovated.

Late next year, a new 4km dual carriageway will link Gare Maritime with the motorway.

Completion of the 9m Euro project will make the London-Dover-Boulogne-Paris journey quicker than going via Calais.

And in a few years time, a huge port redevelopment scheme with hotel, casino and shops is set to forge closer links between town centre and port.

Francis Leroy, president of Boulogne Chamber, expects 1.5 million passengers a year to use the new service.

"We were very sad when the link was stopped," he said. "For Boulogne people, the link was psychological and economic. Since we heard the announcement about the link, the people of Boulogne are smiling again."

He accepts that some 80 per cent of passengers will be British. "Our challenge is to increase the number of French people going to Kent," he said.

He is keen to promote social and educational links between Boulogne and Kent, especially Folkestone with which it is twinned.

Boulogne has held a place in the affections of Kentish people for many years. While they may go to Calais and Cite Europe for Tesco and Auchan, the Francophile with love of fine French cheeses, fine old architecture and character gravitate to Boulogne.

M Leroy had this message for Kent: "Come to Boulogne, the new link will reinforce the links between Kent and the Cote d'Opale.

"Boulogne is back, but we want to be back in a new condition and with new policies. And more opportunities for business people to work together."