TONIGHT a town will hold its collective breathe as crunch talks are held in France over the future of a ferry service.

Newhaven has had a tough time of late and for the ferry to go would be a huge - perhaps even a knockout - blow.

The problem stems from a legal dispute launched by cross Channel rivals Eurotunnel.

The French courts found in their favour earlier this year and as such the current contract has been ripped up.

Unless a new one is drawn up and a ferry operator is accepted, the service will end later this summer.

Maria Caulfield, MP for Lewes, appears confident a deal will be done. But there is enough concern for her to join campaigners and The Argus in Dieppe tonight.

And even if a new deal does go through without a hitch, there is an elephant in the room threatening to scupper everything: Brexit.

A month today we go to the polls to decide our future in the European Union.

If the country decides we should no longer be part of the EU then how will that impact on the service?

With French public subsidies, joint workforces and the daily movement of people and goods, leaving the EU could be extremely damaging.

This has to be addressed and analysed at tonight's meeting. It cannot be ignored.

The importance of the route cannot be underestimated. It provides jobs, pumps millions into the local economy each year and brings tourists and visitors right to our doorstep.

The line has a long and proud history. But at this moment its future is uncertain.

Let's hope tonight that future can be secured for many years to come.