SOUTHAMPTON residents are being urged to make use of a new ferry service running between the city and Gosport.

The catamaran service aimed at Christmas shoppers was launched on Saturday by operators Red Funnel who also provide a service on to Portsmouth.

Running four round trips on Saturdays and Sundays, the service was reintroduced following its success during the Southampton Boat Show.

The new timetable coincides with shopping hours at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and Gosport's famous Saturday market.

The journey between the destinations will take shoppers just 35 minutes. Supporters of the scheme say it provides a real alternative to battling with the seasonal traffic and queuing for a parking spot.

Gosport councillor Peter Edgar said: "I am really pleased to see the service introduced for Christmas. Thanks to the initiative of Red Funnel people are being offered a real variety of Christmas shopping.

"I would urge the people of Southampton to support the new service. I was one of those who used it during the Southampton Boat Show and I would like to see more people using it from that end. Portsmouth Harbour certainly has a lot to offer and I think the new service is a real alternative to battling with traffic. I am sure I couldn't drive to Southampton in under 35 minutes."

The week before and after Christmas the service will be increased to six daily departures in addition to the weekend timetable before it finishes on January 4 next year.

A spokesman for Red Funnel said: "We did launch the service without any problems this weekend. We hope that people will really take advantage of it in the run-up to Christmas."

For information about tickets, which are priced up to £12 with concessions, or more details on the service contact www.redfunnel.co.uk/gosport or call 0870 444 8898.