One of the vessels on the River Tyne ferry crossing has been withdrawn while it gets a much needed facelift and health check.
The iconic Pride of the Tyne ferry is one of two owned and operated by Nexus which carry nearly 400,000 passengers a year between the north and south sides of the river.
But the 29-year-old ferry built at the Swan Hunter yard in Wallsend is currently receiving its annual paint job as well as an engine overhaul. The paint work usually takes two weeks, but the boat's time on shore has been extended to eight weeks this year so her two propulsion units can be sent back to the manufacturer for work.
