Foot ferry owner looking for buyer due to illness

"Love her as much as we do", Mrs Philips requested of any new buyers

The owners of a foot ferry are looking for buyers after the skipper was diagnosed with a "bolt out of the blue" long-term illness.

Mark Philips, 61, and his wife Michelle, 57, have been running Burnham Ferry for the last seven years, taking as many as 5,000 passengers a year across the River Crouch between Wallasea Island and Burnham, Essex.

Skipper Mr Philips' diagnosis came "as a complete bolt out of the blue", according to his spouse.

They announced the news just days before they were due to open for business again on 1 April.

Michelle (left) and Mark (right) Philips have been running the service for seven years

Burnham Ferry runs six days a week between the months of April to September, and is the only licensed ferry to operate between Essex Marina, Wallasea Island and Town Quay, Burnham-on-Crouch.

Mrs Philips told the BBC that she would prefer not to publicise her husband's condition, but the "life changing and progessive" symptoms have affected him already.

"Because of what he's been diagnosed with, he is unable to be insured," she explained.

The ferry has been in operation since World War Two, according to Mrs Philips.

Despite not being able to go on themselves, she expressed their joint desire for it to continue "flourishing".

"Love her as much as we do, but put the public first."

She requested that the boat's successor keeps its name, Haylau (pronounced Halo), which was formed using the names of their first two grandchildren, Hayden and Lauren.

The ferry has been in operation since World War Two

She said the support from the community has been amazing, and they were "very emotional".

She took the opportunity to thank everyone for the last seven years.

"They've made our life happy, we've had a lovely time on the water.

"Take care, stay safe, and enjoy life to the full, becuase you never know what's round the corner."

Mrs Philips has quashed any rumours that she might take the wheel in her husband's place.

"My idea of boating is sitting on a cruise with a glass of wine in my hand," she said.