PEOPLE will be able to set sail for the Royal William Yard when a water bus service connects it to the Barbican from tomorrow.

Silverline Cruises will run trips between the waterfront areas from 10am to 6pm every day until September, and Royal William Yard (RWY) harbourmaster Derek Smith said it was a return to the yard's heritage.

"The RWY was designed to be accessed by water," he said.

"It's going to be a challenge but it will open a gateway for people."

It is hoped people living and working in the historic former naval victualing yard will use the water bus.

And Emily Jones, associate director of Urban Splash, the firm behind the redevelopment of the 15-acre RWY, said it could be used to attract tourists, especially as a Royal Navy visitor centre is due to open there in June.

Andrew Pearce, a partner at property consultants King Sturge, marketing commercial space in the RWY, said: "The connectivity between the Barbican and RWY is fantastic — and it's nicer to go by boat than drive."

He added: "When we show people Plymouth we do it from the water — that's how you best see Plymouth."

From tomorrow, a boat will leave the Royal William Yard every hour, on the hour, and from the Barbican pontoon ever hour on the half-hour.

Adults will pay £2.50 for a one-way ticket, children pay £1.50. Mr Smith said return tickets were not being issued currently because market research showed people wanted to make the trip one way and stroll back via the Hoe.

Silverline Cruises will initially use its 12-seater Transporter vessel to ferry people between the waterfront areas.

The boat can travel at 29 knots but will be restricted to the Plymouth speed limit of 10 knots.

But even at this speed, it can complete the trip, one way, in 10 minutes, or 15 minutes if it is slowed down by having to make way for other shipping.

The firm, which ran a trial two years ago, has the option, however, to bring in its 50-seater Silver Crest boat if demand rises.

Mr Smith, of both Royal William Yard Harbour Ltd and Silverline Cruises, said the service could even grow during the year, possibly by adding early morning trips after the Royal Navy opens its visitor centre.

He said future stops at Millbay and Drake's Island were also being considered.

Leanne Forshaw, Urban Splash's communications manager, said the service would run into September until seas become too rough for it to continue.

When not carrying people between the waterfront areas, the two vessels can be hired for evening parties. Transporter costs £120 for three hours, Silver Crest costs £200.