FERRY services from Weymouth to the Channel Islands could resume as early as this autumn.

Plans have been seen by town councillors for the resumption of services for the first time since 2015.

Weymouth Town Council is 'liasing' with Dorset Council over the plans, which have been formally submitted, but full details are yet to be released.

Within the proposals it's understood that a trial service could potentially start later this year.

A cross-channel service had previously ran from Weymouth until 2015 when Condor Ferries moved services to Poole following the deliver of a £50million vessel that was too big for Weymouth's port.

At the time it was estimated the loss of services would cost Weymouth Harbour around £750,000 each year.

Residents of Weymouth have long supported the return of ferry services to the Harbour and hopes were fuelled when it was revealed the boss of Condor Ferries held a meeting with council officials last November.

Read more: Condor Ferries boss visits Weymouth

Last year Weymouth Town Council were given a 12 month deadline to determine the fesability of bringing back passenger ferry services to the town. Councilors were given a deadline of June 30th 2022 to assess the options for the redevelopment of the ferry terminal site.

At a Council meeting last year Councillor Jan Bergman said there was "great appetite" for the resumption of services among officals in Guernsey.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said Councillor Spencer Flower, leader of Dorset Council, and Councillor David Harris from Weymouth Town Council would meet to discuss the findings of exploratory work into the possible return of ferry services.

The spokesperson said: “Last June Dorset Council agreed with Weymouth Town Council that they would provide a costed business plan, within 12 months, for a potential future ferry service to operate out of Weymouth.

“Dorset Council recently received an initial outline proposal, but it does not acknowledge some of the fundamental considerations that we expected, and needed, to see. We have asked Weymouth Town Council to provide more detail including costs, which are critical for us to understand fully, before any decision can be made.

A spokesperson for Weymouth Town Council said: "We are currently liaising with Dorset Council and we are looking to release a statement on Monday.

Until this time no further comments will be made from Weymouth Town Council"