#FerryStrong - Ferry firm Stena Line writes the Belfast Telegraph, has during the month of July rounded off a "strong first six months" for the year.

Car volumes rose by 3% between January and June.

Orla Noonan, Stena Line's head of travel (Irish Sea), added: "Traditionally, July is a very busy month for us across the Irish Sea as we enter our peak season, but to post a 6.5% year-on-year increase in our car volumes pays tribute to the quality of the service we operate."

The ferry company carries around 2.2 million passengers and 614,000 cars across the Irish Sea each year.

Stena has several services from Northern Ireland, Belfast to Cairnryan, Liverpool and Heysham.

In addition Afloat adds to Republic of Ireland services: Dublin to Holyhead and Rosslare-Fishguard, noting the Wexford port also has a Stena service to Cherbourg, France.

The continental route is not included in the figures above.