Britain has lost an historic 5,000-mile link with the South Atlantic island of St Helena.

The cargo-passenger liner RMS St Helena has sailed for the last time from Portland.

Its seven visits to Portland since 2002 have been worth more than £250,000 to the local economy.

It previously sailed from other British ports but will now operate a new route to South Africa instead.

Portland Port communications director Rupert Best said: "We were sorry to see her go because St Helena represented a bit of an historic link for the port.

"She introduced us to general cargo and container handling and was a key part of this port's development.

"We understand why they have to go and hope that we may service the ship again if the trial reveals the need for a UK link."

RMS St Helena general manager Captain Bill Langworthy said the 12-month base trial switch to Cape Town had been ordered by the St Helena government.

He added that stimulating the economy and tourism had been a key consideration and the new base would enable better access and more frequent visits to St Helena since Portland is 5,000 miles away and Cape Town only 1,750.

He said: "Portland is a superb port and I have no reservations about endorsing it. If the St Helena government feels that the Cape Town trial period has not worked then I would have no hesitation in recommending a return to Portland."

Even if the trial period works then Portland might still be considered for one or two trips per year, he said.

That will be good news for fourth engineer Charles Lawn, 20, of Rodwell Road, Weymouth, who has been a crew member for the last three months.

He was not on board for her final sailing from Portland but is due to fly out to join her in Cape Town next month.

Charles said: "I was sorry to see it leave Portland and I hope it will be able to come back.

"I had previously been on the Queen Mary II, but in 24 hours I went from the Royal Mail's biggest ship to the RMS St Helena, which is its smallest.

"I am due to rejoin her at Cape Town and I hope to stay there for several trips."

The vessel is owned by the St Helena Line in London on behalf of the island's government with ports of call also including the UK's Ascension Island, Tenerife and Vigo as well as St Helena, famous as the home in exile of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Preparations for the last Portland voyage to St Helena showed what a lifeline the ship is for the remote island.

Previous cargoes have included familiar items of life, from cans of baked beans to cars, livestock and JCBs, packed into the hold of the 6,767-tonne vessel which also has 48 cabins capable of handling 128 passengers and 65 crew.

The last run was no exception and among cargo loaded were cornflakes, Mars Bars, chocolate, cars, several washing machines, televisions and even a dustcart to help make life a little easier for the 3,500 inhabitants of the island which has no airport.

Many relatives of the islanders live in the Bournemouth, Southampton, Reading and Swindon areas and the loss of the £1,200 return ticket link from Portland will force them to pay an extra £400 for air tickets to Cape Town and passage on the St Helena.

This will not bother second purser Lyn Buckley who lives on St Helena. She said: "It has been nice to keep in touch with Britain and I hope the St Helena still makes an occasional trip to Portland. I like the shopping."

St Helena Master Rodney Young has a foot in both camps, having been born on St Helena, although he now lives in Hertfordshire.

He said: "We have found Portland to be very good. It is safe, the port is excellent and we had a very good relationship with the island. There still may be future connections with Portland. I certainly hope so."