CONDOR Liberation is due to be back in service on Saturday after repairs took longer than expected.

The £50 million high speed ferry was damaged docking at Guernsey a day after its maiden voyage from Poole.

The company says repairs have been affected by high overnight winds at Poole port but will be completed by Friday and she will be ready to return to service on Saturday.

“No-one is more disappointed than we are that the combination of the very unfortunate incident at the weekend and some really severe weather has caused this disruption in Condor Liberation’s first week in service,” said Captain Fran Collins, executive director, operations.

“It is particularly saddening after the wonderful welcome which she received in the Islands last weekend. We are working around the clock to have her back in service as soon as possible and are very grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding.”

In the meantime Commodore Clipper is operating from Portsmouth and charter ship MV Arrow will be retained until the weekend, keeping the freight and passenger links going.

High speed services will be provided on Good Friday by Condor Express, operating two double rotations from Poole.