Bumblebee's Alderney to Guernsey ferry service stops

Bumblebee Boat Cruises has stopped running scheduled services between Guernsey and Alderney until spring 2013, blaming a lack of demand.

When it launched the route in May, the company advertised a year-round service using a new 32ft catamaran, capable of carrying 12 passengers.

However, Dan Meinke, the company's owner, said: "The numbers were too low to make it viable to run."

He said the boat would continue to be used for charters and "fog runs".

Additional sailings have previously been operated by the company to get air passengers to and from Alderney when fog prevents air travel.

Mr Meinke said: "We'll come back in the spring with fighting force and hopefully carry more passengers next year than we did this year."