Owners of town's only ferry quickly find buyer

Michelle Philips, pictured with husband Mark, said she was pleased the boat would go to a "well-established skipper"

The owners of a town's only licensed foot ferry have found a buyer for their boat within days of going up for sale.

Married couple Michelle and Mark Philips took up to 5,000 passengers each year on their ferry at Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex.

They announced they would sell up because of Mr Philips's ill health, but on Monday they revealed a local operator was stepping in.

Local skipper Mark Peters said: "We are hoping to get her afloat and back in service as soon as possible."

Mark and Michelle Philips announced their decision days before they were due to open

The couple announced the sale last week, just days before they were due to open for business again on 1 April.

The pair take passengers across the River Crouch between Burnham and Wallasea Island six days per week.

Mrs Philips said: "Although the sale has not been finalised yet, we are pleased she is going to an experienced and well-established skipper who shares similar ethics to ourselves.

"We know he will do a good job and hope our existing customers will continue to support and the business will continue to flourish.

Mark Peters wants to get Burnham Ferry up and running as soon as possible

Mr Peters, 38, who runs Dawn Tide II Charters out of Wallasea, said: "I've seen the ferry down there for many years, it's always nice and busy, I didn't want to see it go, really.

"Lots of families use it, it's busy, especially during the school holidays."

He said he would try to run the service just as it was, but perhaps operating later into the evening.

The couple were always welcome back aboard the vessel "for old times' sake".