COWES Floating bridge is due to return to service this month ­— albeit a week later than what was initially planned.

A final inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been booked in to confirm the floating bridge is fit to return to service, after a period of repairs and modifications to the prows and ramps.

The vessel is expected to run at 5am on the morning of Monday, December 20.

Cllr Phil Jordan previously said the bridge would be back in service on December 13.

Read more: When the Floating Bridge will return has finally been revealed

Final works to make the floating bridge ready for its return to regular service are now underway, the Isle of Wight Council has confirmed.

Training for all floating bridge staff is required and will be conducted next week, between December 13 and 17 December.

Because of this, the vessel will be seen making crossings before full service is resumed, and in the meantime, the passenger launch will continue to be available during scheduled hours.

Councillor Phil Jordan said: "I am glad that the final MCA inspection is coming up, which we expect to confirm that the floating bridge is ready to return to work.

"People in the area will see the vessel making trial crossings and operating the prows as we undertake refresher training with the staff and run through changes to operational systems.

"We're wasting no time to get the training and other essential works done.

"We had hoped to have the floating bridge back in service this week, but because of delays in delivering some parts, the MCA inspection was in turn delayed, which means we'll be returning the vessel to work a week later than anticipated."