GOOD news for tourism along the north coast of the Province!

Four companies have now been short-listed to tender for the operation of a possible reinstated Campbeltown-Ballycastle ferry service.

This second stage of the tender process is part of a joint initiative by the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Administration, to attract an operator for the route.

The route between Ballycastle on Northern Ireland's famous north Antrim coast and Campbeltown on the toe of the Mull of Kintyre was previously operated for three years by SeaCat as a seasonal service. There has been no operator on the route since SeaCat pulled out of the route six years ago because it was unable to make a profit.

Now four companies, Harrison's (Clyde) Limited, Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, Serco Denholm and Western Ferries have been invited to tender for the service.

A maximum £1million annual subsidy over a five-year contract period is available. The service specification requires an 11-month per year service for passengers and vehicles. Bidding companies may also add routes around the subsidised service.

The Scottish Executive's Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, said: "It is good news that we can now move to the next stage of the tendering exercise. We have been able to do this quickly since announcing our intention to seek bidders.

"I am glad that there has been an encouraging level of interest in the route. We will continue to work closely with the Northern Ireland administration and the local business communities involved in making every effort to attract an operator.

"I believe that a ferry operation can become a catalyst for economic benefit in the local communities and provide new opportunities for trade and tourism."

Northern Ireland's Enterprise Minister, Angela Smith, said: "I am pleased that the new tender process has resulted in an improved level of interest in re-establishing the ferry link between Argyll and Moyle. I hope this will result in a successful operator being found to restore the service."

Moyle District DUP councillor David McAllister described the news as "brilliant."

"My party has been working long and hard to get the ferry running again and this brings us a step closer.

"We can only hope that the tender process moves quickly and we will soon see the ferry setting sail again."