A new ferry service has started running between Weymouth and Portland which promises to help bring tourists to the Castletown area.

The service is part of a multi-faceted plan to regenerate the area of Castletown on Portland and boost the local economy.

It will run seven days a week and will be going from Weymouth to Crabbers’ Wharf in Castletown and then on to Portland Marina three times a day.

Starting from Saturday, 1 July, until the end of the summer season, it will be running four times a day.

Derek Luckhurst, owner of care provider Agincare, is the person behind the regeneration project for Castletown and helped put in place the new ferry service, which he believes will contribute to the revival of the area.

Mr Luckhurst said: “I am absolutely delighted that for the first time in a number of years we are seeing a regular ferry service arriving at Castletown. 

“This will bring new vitality to the area and, of course, much needed revenue to breathe life back into Castletown.” 

He added: “It will benefit the tourist industry - it is yet another attraction Weymouth and Portland have to offer visitors.” 

Mr Luckhurst said that there had been a ferry service which ran between Weymouth and Portland before, but it was discontinued several years ago.

He thought the history of the ferry, called My Girl, would complement the history on display at the Castletown D-Day Centre next to Crabbers’ Wharf. My Girl was built in 1931 and is named after a show which its first owner, Ron Hill, went to see with his wife.

It was then commandeered by the army in 1939 and served throughout the Second World War.

During the war the ferry was used to transport Royal Artillery Regiment troops, meaning that it is the only vessel which can fly the pendant of the Royal Artillery Association.

The ferry also features in the upcoming film, Dunkirk. 

The vessel is 11 metres long, seven tonnes in weight and has a maximum speed of seven-and-a-half knots. 

Jeff Waters, the skipper of the ferry, said: “We are running a proper service from Weymouth to Crabbers’ Wharf, to Portland Marina for refreshments.” 

The ferry is licensed to carry up to 52 passengers, but Mr Waters said that because it is a pleasure trip, he will only carry a maximum of 35 passengers.

The skipper added that the vessel was in good nick considering how much it has been used. 

He said: “The fact that she served throughout the war and is still serving Weymouth and Portland is pretty good.”