DONATIONS to help the world's last remaining seaworthy paddle steamer have exceeded £130,000.

The Covid-19 Appeal for the Waverley has a £500,000 target.

A regular visitor to Bournemouth and the Purbeck coast, Waverley only returned to service for two weeks in late August because of the pandemic.

This was after a £2.3million refit which was completed earlier in the year.

Waverley's general manager Paul Semple said: "Waverley normally carries over 100,000 passengers annually but this season we saw less than 6,000 aboard.

"The ship needs to operate a full summer season to earn sufficient funds and cover costs.

"Waverley must be maintained to remain in operation and that maintenance comes at a high cost, this winter over £400,000 will be spent on routine works and dry-docking.”

The paddle steamer, built for the London and North Eastern Railway in June 1947, has carried more than six million passengers since being preserved in 1975. She is based primarily on the Clyde but normally visits more than 60 ports and piers around the UK offering a variety of day, afternoon, and evening cruises each season.

On the £130,000 raised to date, Mr Semple said: "I am delighted with the positive response and the support Waverley is once again receiving from so many people.

"The success of our Covid-19 Appeal is vital if we are to survive the winter and sail Waverley in summer 2021.

"The impact of Covid denied us the opportunity to sail Waverley for a full season on the Firth of Clyde and around other areas of the UK.

"When the ship did sail this year, passenger numbers were strictly limited to under 30 per cent capacity resulting in a dramatic reduction in income."