CALLS have been made to make the first ferry service between Portsmouth and Southampton permanent after a successful pilot project.

The Red Funnel catamaran service helped bring the two south coast cities together during this year's Southampton Boat Show.

The high-speed vessel made eight return trips a day in a bid to make it easier for visitors to get to the Boat Show.

The service, which finished yesterday, was also well used by commuters, tourists and shoppers. With each one way crossing taking just 35 minutes from the Gosport Pontoon to Town Quay the service provided a much more attractive alternative to the motorway and rail service.

Now Red Funnel will be assessing whether the average 60 passengers who made the trip on the 136-seat vessel will make it worth repeating the project.

Councillor Peter Edgar, a member of the South East Hampshire Transport Panel, is urging the ferry company to re-introduce the catamaran in the run up to Christmas for seasonal shoppers.

"This is a great way to take the cars off the roads. It would be another success in the run-up to Christmas and without any question will be the making of two great cities."

Ideally he would like to see the service made permanent.

"There are many complimentary interests between Portsmouth Harbour and its surrounding communities and Southampton.

"There is a lot of potential."

Councillor Edgar, who is a member of Tourism South East, also stressed how important the service would be in helping the tourist industry. Commuters from the Fareham and Gosport peninsula would also benefit from the service.

Tickets for the return journey cost £10. A shuttle bus service operated between WestQuay and the city's railway station.