WIGHTLINK has apologised for cancelling sailings on short notice on its Ryde FastCat and Yarmouth car ferry services.

The cross-Solent operator stated a spike in cases of Covid-19 among crew members is the cause.

Wightlink does not allow crew members with Covid to return to work until they test negative to protect customers and colleagues.

The ferry operator has also announced that it will continue its winter timetable until the Easter Holidays.

The Fishbourne–Portsmouth car ferry service will operate with two ships, with additional sailings on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays, with the two other routes remaining on the current timetable.

Keith Greenfield, Wightlink chief executive, said: "We pride ourselves on being the most reliable cross-Solent operator so we are all very disappointed that rising numbers of Covid cases have now caused us to make these cancellations which will inconvenience our customers.

"The team is working round the clock to fill gaps in our rosters and to minimise the impact of absences.

“We apologise to customers for these unwelcome cancellations.”

This evening (Monday), due to the absence of essential members of the crew, FastCat sailings from Portsmouth and Ryde have been cancelled.

The 7.47pm and 8.52pm sailings from Ryde Pier Head have been cancelled, as well as the 7.20pm and 8.20pm sailings from Portsmouth Harbour.