CONDOR Ferries has expressed its commitment to Poole, following the disappointment of the return of its year-round fast ferry service to Weymouth next summer.

Poole has received a considerable boost since February this year when a crumbling harbour wall at Weymouth resulted in all services operating from the port to the Channel Islands and St Malo.

However, with the return to Weymouth planned for July 17 next year, Poole will not be left without a fast ferry service.

The company has just launched its schedule for 2013 which includes, along with an increased number of sailings, a regular |fast ferry service from Poole and the |return of popular day trips to Jersey and Guernsey from the town.

“Our new schedule demonstrates our continued commitment to Poole, and we are delighted to be able to continue the popular day-trip service to Guernsey, as well as the option of a day trip to Jersey in the early summer,” said Alicia Andrews, sales and marketing director at Condor Ferries.

“We are also continuing our popular connecting service to France, giving passengers wishing to travel to the continent the opportunity to break their journey across the Channel with a stop in the Channel Islands, allowing them to shop onboard for genuine duty-free goods and cruise the spectacular coastline of the Channel Islands on one trip.”

Jim Stewart, chairman of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said they had been in discussions with Condor over the schedule for 2013.

“We recognise that Condor will operate some sailing from Weymouth next year, however we are advised that Poole will continue to play a major role with Condor going forward,” he said.

The schedule allows passengers to book journeys to France and the Channel Islands up to November 4 next year and customers booking a return journey with a car on condorferries.com will save £5.