THE Sandbanks Ferry is back in action.

An update posted today said: "There is still a little more work to be done after which trials will take place to commission the rebuilt engines and hydraulics.

"We hope to restore service at some time later today (Friday 21st December) and will confirm a time on this web site as soon as we can."

Bosses thought it might take until 2pm to get the service back on line but managed to get it running by 1pm.

The ferry was tugged to a Southampton dry dock at the beginning of November for a scheduled five-week maintenance programme.

It was meant to return to the Poole Harbour entrance last week but its biennial repaint and refit overran.

The refit takes place in the autumn, as summer is the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company’s busiest time and stormy winter seas can hamper the five hour crossing to and from Southampton.