Ferry operator LD Lines is to launch services between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe nearly six months early.

The new operation by conventional freight and passenger ferry will start on February 12 instead of the previously announced start date of July 1.

It will use the berth previously used by fast ferry operator SpeedFerries which collapsed late last year.

"We can clearly identify the strong commercial opportunities for a direct ferry link to be re-established between Dover and Boulogne following the departure of the previous operator and our research shows the demand is there from tourist passengers and freight customers, to bring forward the start of the service," said Christophe Santoni, LD Lines managing director.

"A profitable ferry service must rely on a combination of passenger and freight business and by introducing a conventional ship to operate between Dover, Boulogne and Dieppe, both freight and tourist markets will have an extensive choice across our expanded route network."

~ Audio: Hear Nick Stevens, who works on behalf of LD Lines and the Port of Boulogne, talking to kmfm about the new service >>>

The services will be provided alternately by Seven Sisters and Cote d’Albatre, both built in 2007 and which currently operate on the Newhaven-Dieppe roue under the Transmanche Ferries name, part of the LD Lines network. They can each carry 600 passengers and 300 cars or 52 freight vehicles or a combination of both.

The decision is a shot in the arm for Boulogne, which was likely to suffer with the demise of SpeedFerries, the only direct link between Kent and the town that previously carried 700,000 passengers a year to the attractive port.

Chamber president Francis Leroy said: "This is excellent news for the port, town and Boulonnais region at the start of the year and is the first step prior to the service increasing from two to six return sailings daily from July 2009, with the introduction of a second ship."

Mr Santoni said the new Dieppe service would save passengers around 150 miles of drivetime and give a new choice to customers going to West and South West France, and Spain.

"The service will give them a four-hour rest period too on board during the crossing, compared to extra hours on the roads en route to regions such as Normandy and Brittany," he said.

Fares for tourists on the Dover - Boulogne route start from £24 one way for a car and four passengers and Dover - Dieppe from £29.50 each way for a car and two passengers. These special offer fares must be booked by 31 January 2009 via www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.

• Sailing Schedule (all times local) :

Monday - Friday : Saturday :

From Dover : 0700 Arrive Boulogne : 0945 From Dieppe : 0030 Arrive Dover : 0500

From Boulogne : 1045 Arrive Dover : 1130 From Dover : 0700 Arrive Boulogne : 0945

From Dover : 1230 Arrive Boulogne : 1515 From Boulogne : 1800 Arrive Dover : 1845

From Boulogne : 1615 Arrive Dover : 1700 Sunday :

From Dover : 1800 Arrive Dieppe : 2315 From Dover : 0700 Arrive Boulogne : 0945

From Dieppe : 0200 Arrive Dover : 0500 From Boulogne : 1615 Arrive Dover : 1700

From Dover : 1800 Arrive Dieppe : 2315

From Dieppe : 0200 Arrive Dover : 0500