A new foot passenger catamaran ferry is launching between Yarmouth and Lymington next year.

Anderson Boat Cruises, which runs the Coral Star, has commissioned the building of a new vessel to serve the route.

It is costing around £1 million to build and is expected to be able to carry more than 100 people.

It follows the success of a temporary service, which was first put on on Coral Star, during Covid.

Jay Smith-Dowes, marketing officer for the company, said: "During Covid, Wightlink reduced its service and route quite considerably.

"That's why we decided to start operating as an alternative for foot passengers that needed to get forwards and backwards on that route.

"After Wightlink resumed its timetable we seemed to keep our customers and are taking bookings now, for this year.

"The new catamaran will be primarily based as a new ferry running all the time."

Jay told the County Press prices to use the boat will be "competitive" and he hopes the service will run earlier and later than anything else currently on offer. 

Wightlink is currently the only major commercial ferry operator serving the route.

Anderson Boat Cruises, which is owned by Tim Anderson, has linked up with Magnus Gundersen of Balder Capital Limited to fund the vessel, Jay said.

The boat will be built by Blyth Catamarans in Essex.

It is hoped it will be finished by Spring 2024.

Jay said the company is working on a timetable and is liasing with South Western Railway and Southern Vectis to sync train and bus times together with sailings.