Last sea-going paddle steamer back in Eastbourne

PS Waverley docked in East Sussex for the first time in 22 years

The world's last sea-going paddle steamer has returned to the East Sussex coast for the first time in 22 years.

PS Waverley - which was first launched in 1946 - docked at Eastbourne Pier on Thursday at about 15:00 BST.

It is scheduled to take visitors on an afternoon and an evening cruise to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters.

A civic delegation was set to join the journey, including mayors of East Sussex councils.

Paul Semple, Waverley's general manager, said "overwhelming interest" had led to both cruises being sold out.

"We hope to bring her back to Eastbourne in the future," he added.

The evening cruise will return to Eastbourne Pier at 21:15 on Thursday

The oil-fired steamship replaced an earlier PS Waverley that was lost during the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940.

It first entered service with the London and North Eastern Railway Clyde paddle steamer fleet, before being owned by Caledonian MacBrayne.

PS Waverley pictured in 1973

After it was withdrawn from active service, it was gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society for £1 in 1974.

UK tours are now run by Waverley Excursions Ltd.

Tim Wardley, national chairman of the National Piers Society, said that alongside the Waverley, "the magic of nostalgia travel and the opportunity of yesteryear cruising" was also returning to Eastbourne.