SOME 1.9 million passengers and over 830,000 tourist and commercial vehicles helped to make 1995 a record year for the port of Larne in Co Antrim.

Over the last seven weeks of 1995, the number of cars and caravans using the port was up by one third over the same period in 1994, with passenger totals up by almost 30 per cent, and commercial vehicles up by nearly 20 per cent. The tonnage of goods handled was a record 4.67 million.

The port's director and general manager, Mr Denis Galway, said the increases were not just the result of the peace initiative. "Most of our success is due to the port's ability to meet increasing competition, and remain the customers' top choice for quality, cost, and reliability of service," he said. A proposed £2 million cold store would further boost the port's role, Mr Galway said.

In addition, Norse Irish Ferries and the Scottish ferry company. Caledonian MacBrayne, may begin to use the port's facilities.