TOURISTS and residents can now hop between Brightlingsea, Point Clear and East Mersea with the return of a ferry between the three towns.

The Brightlingsea Foot Ferry is celebrating its ninth season.

All round-trips are under ten minutes, are disabled-friendly, and now available between April and October with the new Dial-a-Ferry service.

Return tickets between Brightlingsea and Point Clear cost £1 for adults and senior citizens, and 50 pence for children, dogs and bicycles.

Fares between Brightlingsea and East Mersea are £2 for adults, £1.50 senior citizens, and children, dogs and cycles £1.

For further details visit brightlingseaharbour.org or to book a trip, contact the Harbour Office on 01206 302200 or the ferry during operating times on 07981 450169, giving at least two hours notice.

Summer Timetable

March 31 - July 20: Weekends and bank holidays scheduled service. Weekdays Dial-a-Ferry

July 21 - September 2: Scheduled service

September 3 - September 29: Weekends scheduled service. Weekdays Dial-a-Ferry

September 30 - October 28: Dial-a-Ferry

Scheduled service:

Brightlingsea-East Mersea departs 11am, 1.30pm and 4pm.

East Mersea-Brightlingsea departs 11.15am, 1.45pm and 4.15pm.

Point Clear-Brightlingsea-Point Clear departs on demand apart from during East Mersa crossing times