A NEW Poole to Spain ferry service will take its first group of passengers across the seas next month, it has been announced.

LD Lines will be operating the route using Norman Asturias, to transport freight and tourists to Santander in northern Spain, with capacity for up to 500 passengers, 200 cars, or 110 freight vehicles.

The first scheduled journey is expected to be made on Sunday, November 3, with a 6pm departure from Santander. Passengers will then be able to pick from two return sailings each week between Poole and Santander, with a crossing time of 26 hours.

Norman Asturias features 120 cabins and a bar, restaurant, shop, cinema and children’s entertainment area, and has previously been used on LD Lines’ existing France to Spain route.

Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, says that it a major trade boost for the town.

He said: “We are delighted to welcome LD Lines to the port of Poole, and we look forward to working closely together, to ensure the success of the new route.

“The new service to Santander will provide passengers and freight with an exciting new link between the UK and northern Spain, and we are very confident that the service will prove very popular with hauliers and tourists.”

Christophe Santoni, CEO of LD Lines, says that the exciting new project will be a key addition to the company’s existing route between France and Spain.

He added: “Significantly, the timing of the introduction reflects growing confidence and signs of recovery for many European economies.”

Special introductory offer fares for the new service start from £399 return for a car and two passengers including a cabin. For more information, call 0844 856 5498 for passenger bookings or 0844 493 0654 for freight bookings or go to www.ldlines.com.