THE Sandbanks Ferry service has been delayed until the new year after the ferry sustained ‘severe damage’.

The ferry was due to be towed for an biennial refit in Falmouth on Wednesday, November 2.

However, the planned maintenance works were delayed when stormy weather conditions prevented the ferry from leaving Poole.

READ MORE: Stormy weather delays Sandbanks Ferry maintenance works

The Sandbanks Ferry Company announced today that the ferry arrived in Falmouth on Sunday for the planned refit.

Unfortunately during the tow from Poole to Falmouth the ferry suffered severe damage to the southern end prow.

A spokesperson from the Sandbanks Ferry Company said: “The exact cause is currently under investigation and findings will be released when they are available.

“The additional work to repair this damage will have a major impact on our completion date and will significantly delay our return to service which we anticipate will not now be until the New Year.

“We will update our webpage and social media as soon as we have more information.”

Sandbanks Ferry Company managing director Jason duToit said: “We apologise to all our customers for the inconvenience this will cause and share their expected frustrations.”