Brittany Ferries has announced it is withdrawing the Barfleur service between Poole and Cherbourg in October.

To the delight of local people the passenger and freight ferry was brought back into service in February for a trial summer season, after a year’s lay-off.

But a review by the ferry company has revealed that while support from the local community has been positive, it has not made enough money.

“Unfortunately, with the current depressed state of the economy, freight carryings have not grown to the extent we were anticipating which, coupled with the relatively high price of oil, means that the operation of this type of service is unsustainable during the winter months,” said Mike Bevens, group commercial passenger director.

The last sailing of the Barfleur will be on Monday October 3.