Ferry fixed in time for festival

The new Spirit of the Tyne is due to come into service in 2007

A North East ferry has undergone emergency repairs just days before one of its busiest weekend's of the year.

Engineers faced a race against time to get the Shields Ferry, Pride of Tyne, repaired in time for this weekend's Mouth of the Tyne Festival.

Thousands of people are expected at the festival in North and South Shields and the ferry connects the two venues.

Operator Nexus was going to have to use a 30-year-old boat instead, but the Pride of Tyne is now back in service.

The Pride of Tyne was damaged when it struck a piece of driftwood on Monday.

Nexus had planned to use the Shieldsman ferry as a replacement over the weekend.

The Shieldsman is due to retire next year to make way for the new £1.9m Spirit of the Tyne, which is currently under construction.

Nexus communications director, Andy Bairstow, said: "Our staff have worked extremely hard over the last few days to get Pride of the Tyne ready to go on the river again and their hard work and dedication has paid off."

The festival is on Saturday and Sunday and highlights will include street carnivals, musicians and dancers.