Taxpayers will be able to have their say on the future of the council-owned Port of Ramsgate at a public meeting organised by the end of the month.

The event will be organised by ferry expert Bill Moses, who has launched a campaign to bring passenger services back to the site.

The former Sally Line boss, who revealed his proposals to Kent Business and the Thanet Extra last month, said a new cross-Channel route could attract 500,000 annual passengers by its second year of full operation.

He has had interest from three potential investors since launching his Ramsgate Ferry initiative. Details of the public meeting will be announced shortly.

It comes as Thanet council reveals it has granted a licence at the port to transport and logistics company GEFCO UK to import import and store cars.

Mr Moses said: “It’s important that the local community have a say in this. It is their money at the end of the day.

“I have got a much better chance of attracting an operator because it’s my industry...” - Bill Moses, Ramsgate Ferry campaign

“The phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the campaign was flagged up in Kent Business and the Thanet Extra.

“It’s amazing really. It’s nothing short of incredible.”

Figures obtained by the former Green councillor Ian Driver show that in the last three years Thanet council has accumulated losses of £2.7 million at the port.

Mr Moses estimates the council would need £45 per household in the district to cover the costs of the losses, a figure he said is unreasonable to demand from taxpayers.

He said it added further weight to his case to bring a ferry operator back to the port, which he said has attracted interest from France and Belgium. For details, visit www.ramsgateferry.com.

However Mr Moses said he is still yet to receive contact from Thanet council on his plans.

He said: “I want to help the cause and that includes them because they are the landlord.

“However, you can’t help people who don’t show any signs of wanting to be helped.

“I have got a much better chance of attracting an operator because it’s my industry.”

Thanet council's newly announced deal with GEFCO follows the completion of maintenance dredging at the port.

GEFCO imports and distributes 500,000 vehicles a year through UK ports and aims to bring in car transporter ships to Ramsgate, although the number of movements has not been confirmed.

Cars will also be stored at the port prior to distribution around the UK.