The Danish firm Speed Ferries, owned by Mols Line, was granted permission from Dover Harbour Board on Tuesday to run five Super Seacats a day from 1 May.

The catamarans will run from Dover's Eastern Docks, with trips leaving at three-hour intervals.

Bob Goldfield, chief executive of Dover Harbour Board, said over the past 10 years problems which had made the route to Boulogne uneconomical had been solved.

Historic link

John Turgoose, commercial director of the Port of Dover, said he believed many people would take advantage of the new route - which would be good for business all round.

Francis Leroy, president of the Boulogne Chamber of Commerce, said there were celebrations in his town.

He said the service between the two towns had restored a historic link.

It is more than a decade since ferries last operated from Dover to Boulogne.