A new operator has been found for Scotland's only ferry service to Europe, the First Minister has announced.  The ferry firm Norfolkline will operate the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route.

Alex Salmond hailed the news as "a real success story and hugely important to Scotland's economy".

It comes just days after the final Superfast ferry service between the two ports sailed last weekend.

However, the new service is not due to start until spring next year.

Talks to try to find a new operator had been on-going after Superfast announced back in May that its service would cease on September 13.

Mr Salmond revealed that the Scottish Government and Forth Ports had managed to secure the new operator for the route.The First Minister said: "Securing the continuation of this service is a real success story and hugely important to Scotland's economy.

"We have worked closely with Forth Ports to ensure Scotland maintains a direct ferry link to Europe and I am delighted to announce that Norfolkline will now operate the Rosyth-Zeebrugge route."

Mr Salmond stressed the importance of having secured a new operator, and said: "Maintaining connections with major European markets is vital for Scotland at a time of global economic challenges.

"In the six years this route has been operating, it has carried nearly one million passengers, 4.2 million tonnes of freight and in 2005 generated around £3.4 million of tourism expenditure in Scotland."