ONLOOKERS waved goodbye to the last Condor Ferries sailing as it left Weymouth's port.

With the Tall Ship Pelican giving a final salute, the Channel Islands service left at 1.30pm for the last time.

Condor is to operate a new and larger ferry on a single service from Poole instead as Weymouth's port is deemed too small. The first official sailing from Poole is this Friday.

Condor will retain a presence in Weymouth until next March as it will continue to use its call centre at the terminal building.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council doesn't have the money to refurbish a berth which could accommodate the new vessel.

As reported in the Echo, a delegation from Weymouth failed to secure funding from the government to help repair Berth 3.

The loss will see a drop in harbour income of £750,000 per year. The economy will be hit further as local services benefit from Condor including accommodation providers.

However, there may be some good news in the pipeline as a high speed ferry service to France could be running from Weymouth next year, with the possibility of creating 90 new jobs.

HighSpeedFerries is hoping to make use of the terminal vacated by Condor Ferries.

Weymouth residents felt the last Condor Ferries service was a great loss and felt as though the town had been 'let down'.

Seanus Donnelly, 61 from Chickerell said: "I think its a very sad day for Weymouth. It's a massive loss for the town. If the new ferry scheme comes in then hopefully we will have something."

Steven Page, 65 said: "It's just a sad indictment on the council's handling of the whole situation I think. But it should be a good thing if they can get the fast ferries, that could be a great advantage to the town and bring France to us too."

Ray Banham, former Mayor of Weymouth and Portland said: "It's sad to see her go this afternoon, after greeting her only a year ago.

"It's just a sad day for Weymouth and Portland so see the last Condor Ferries sailing and I think it will have an effect on the local area with businesses like hotels and restaurants.

"All we can hope for now is that in the future we can get another ferry service in the port. Weymouth has been a ferry port since 1796 and it's a real shame to see her go."