Wales and Northern Ireland will be connected by a ferry route in response to strong demand for sailings.

Stena Line said it will run a weekend timetable between Holyhead and Belfast from June 25.

One of the firm’s newest ships, Stena Estrid, will operator the eight-hour sailings, carrying a combination of freight and leisure traffic.

This comes amid “very high demand” on Belfast routes to and from Liverpool and Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, according to the company.

Fares for the Holyhead-Belfast sailings start at £130 for a car and driver.

The services are scheduled to run until July 18.

Stena Line trade director Paul Grant said: “We are delighted to be able to announce details of our new temporary service between Holyhead and Belfast.

“The much-anticipated summer rebound for travel is beginning and we are hugely encouraged by current booking trends.

“The current travel restrictions between Britain and Ireland have created a lot of pent-up travel demand so hopefully the addition of this new route will help provide another option for people visiting friends, relatives or taking a break as well as being an attractive option for our freight customers.”