THE Sandbanks Ferry will be suspended for several hours today for “essential maintenance”.

The ferry will cease operating from 10.30am on Monday, September 27, with the last ferry sailing ten minutes before.

A spokesperson for the ferry said: “Service suspended from 10.30am Monday, September 27, for essential maintenance. 

“The ferry service will be suspended for approximately three hours. Last ferry 10.20am from Poole side. Apologies for the inconvenience.”

Providing an update at around 1pm, a spokesperson said: "The maintenance has not yet been completed and the engineers have updated that we hope to be back in service by approximately 3.30pm today."