Conventional ferry Norman Spirit is due to take over from the seacat Norman Arrow on the Dover - Boulogne route this Wednesday, November 11.

Norman Spirit carried out trials at Dover on Sunday and went to Boulogne on Monday for trials there.

Nine of the 60 jobs on the Norman Arrow are being cut in the change-over by cross-Channel operator LD Lines.

Norman Arrow is transferring to the Portsmouth - Le Havre route and will start operating there in the spring, following the winter lay-over period.

A total of 38 staff will be transferring from Norman Arrow to Norman Spirit, and 13 will remain with the Norman Arrow during the winter.

Norman Spirit is a bigger vessel that can carry more freight and tourist traffic.

In a statement the firm said: "Despite the loss of some jobs during this winter period fleet switch, future employment opportunities will become available during 2010 seasonal operational periods of both the Norman Spirit (Dover - Boulogne) and Norman Arrow (Portsmouth - Le Havre) services."