FERRY passengers from Poole have been hit with further cancellations - this time because of rough weather forecast in the English Channel.

The Condor Liberation’s sailing between Poole and the Channel Islands was cancelled on Wednesday, because a period of adverse weather was forecast for the afternoon.

However, the Condor Clipper, which has a slower top speed than the Liberation, did operate as scheduled.

A Condor Ferries spokesman confirmed the Liberation cancellation was purely because of bad weather, and that recent work on the ferry’s ride control system - which affected services earlier this month - had now been successfully completed.

Yesterday, the spokesman said: “A period of adverse weather is forecast to pass through the English Channel this afternoon, with very strong winds predicted for the route.

“Passengers originally booked to travel on Condor Liberation today have been contacted and offered travel on Commodore Clipper or a service later this week.

“Alternatively, passengers can chose to receive a full refund.”

The Liberation was delayed at Poole earlier this month due to ongoing maintenance work with the system that helps reduce excessive roll and sway at sea.

This delay came within a month of the £50m vessel being barred from leaving port, after marine experts discovered 11 separate safety deficiencies.

The ferry later passed a rigorous Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) safety inspection before being allowed to sail.

However, weeks later ongoing work on the ferry’s ride control system overran and left passengers facing further delays.

Since its maiden voyage for Condor, in March last year, Liberation has suffered a number of problems, including being put into dry dock from January to mid-February after sustaining damage in stormy weather.

After the MCA ordered the Liberation to remain in port last month, a Condor Ferry statement read: “We want to reassure our customers that we only ever sail any of our ships when we and our regulators are satisfied they are safe.

“Inspections are part of ensuring that safety and we welcome them.”