The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry route is to have an all year-round service for the first time in three years.

The move comes following the completion of the sale of Newhaven port by Sea Containers to the French Seine-Maritime in a £15 million deal signed yesterday.

It now means cross-Channel ferry passengers will have a choice of a conventional ferry or the Hoverspeed fast ferry service.

It will be the first time a year-round service has been available since 1998, when P&O Stena Line pulled out of Newhaven claiming it was losing millions.

The conventional ferry, the Sardinia Vera, can carry 600 passengers and 50 freight vehicles and is operated by the French company Transmanche.

Hoverspeed is operated by Sea Containers.

At one time it had looked as though foot passengers would not have been able to book for the Sardinia Vera and it would only be used for freight and coaches.

Lewes MP Norman Baker, who had been campaigning for a year-round ferry service, threatened to take Sea Containers to the anti-competition authorities if it imposed restrictions on the sale of tickets for both ferries.

The Sardinia Vera, which has three bars, three restaurants and a shop, will gradually be brought into operation as trade picks up but it is not known when passenger and car tickets for the vessel will be on sale.

Florence Barriere, spokeswoman for the French consortium led by the Conseil General of the Seine-Maritime, said: "We want to get the ferry service going as soon as possible. The ship is sailing with a small crew but none of the shops, bars or restaurants are open."

The French consortium has indicated it wants to spend millions improving Newhaven to restore the route to its former glory, when it was one of the main cross-Channel routes.

Nick Stevens, spokesman for Hoverspeed, said: "We will be emphasising the advantages of our fast ferry service but people will be given the opportunity of booking on the Sardinia Vera but no date has been fixed for this to start.

"We hope it will be sooner rather than later."

Mr Baker said: "Sea Containers has had to accept people want a choice of crossings on this route. Some people prefer four-hour crossings.

"The company has had to realise it cannot continue being an anchor for the development of Newhaven.

"If Sea Containers had done something which was contrary to the competition rules of the European Union, I would have had no hesitation in referring them to the appropriate authorities."

Mr Stevens insisted the arrangement would benefit the route as a whole.

He said: "We can now play a role in increasing coach, caravan and lorry business on the conventional ferry.

"We can generate additional traffic for the route as a whole.

"The coach and group bookings are a big business and something which used to do very well on the Newhaven to Dieppe route.

"We are confident our sales expertise will generate revenue from that type of traffic."