Cross-Solent operator Wightlink saw a healthy growth in trade last year as its increased capacity fuelled extra business on its ferry routes.

The boost in numbers on both its Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Fishbourne crossings brought last year's total for car numbers to 1.2 million, an increase of more than 15 per cent since 1997.

Despite initial concerns about a fall-off for travel in 2002 after the events of September 11, 2001, Wightlink says it had one of its most successful late winter/spring seasons for years. Wightlink chairman Mike Aiken said: "We have recorded healthy increases in both car and coach sectors.

"Bookings were particularly well up on the Portsmouth route in February and the extra capacity provided by our new flagship, St Clare, enabled us to satisfy public demand for more frequent crossings.

"In February, when refits are always in progress, we were able to operate four ships instead of the usual three. This gave us the best possible start to the season and then, in the summer months, the change to a five-ship rotational timetable meant we were able to offer our customers greater flexibility during the peak season, when capacity had been limited in the past.''

Wightlink saw a rise of more than three per cent in car carryings and more than nine per cent in the volume of coaches.

The best month was September when trade grew by 5.68 per cent. He said: "Off-season growth is now so well established that I think we can fairly say the Isle of Wight is recognised as an excellent resort for autumn, winter and spring holidays, a radical departure from the situation a decade ago.''

May and June were the best months for coach traffic, with a growth of 15.7 per cent and 17.9 per cent respectively.