A VINTAGE ferry service’s 80th anniversary was celebrated in style at the weekend.

Tuckton Vintage Ferry Service is run, along with the riverside Tuckton Tea Gardens, by husband and wife Alan and Alison Vincent, their son Adam, 31, and 28-year-old son-in-law Jason.

The ferry operates along the River Stour from Tuckton to Mudeford, stopping at Wick Ferry and Christchurch Quay.

On Saturday at The Tea Gardens in Southbourne, the Vincents held a family fun day to mark the ferries’ eight decades of service.

Alison said: “It’s been a bit manic, we’ve been really busy all day. The event has done really well, everyone seems to have enjoyed it and we’ve had no complaints, so we can’t say better than that.”

The event boasted a marquee, with craft stalls, crazy golf, a special menu and pirate-themed boat trips along the river.

Earlier Adam said: “We have four Headland boats; the Headland Belle, the Headland Queen, and the Headland Pal, which were all built in 1934 – with the Headland Maid following in 1935.

“The boats were built in Elkins Boatyard, which still exists in Christchurch, and were designed specifically for Christchurch Harbour conditions.”

Mr Vincent explained how a shallow craft is needed to cope with the harbour’s occasional very low tides.

He said: “These ferries have maintained this service across Christchurch Harbour every year since their construction, except during the Second World War, when they were commandeered by the Navy.