THE floating bridge has successfully undergone its five-yearly safety inspection and will be heading back to Cowes next week — although it won't be in service straightaway.

It has been in a dry dock facility in Falmouth, Cornwall, where the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) carried out a full 'Out of Water Survey' - a legal requirement for all chain ferries.

The vessel is due to be towed back to the Island this weekend, arriving in Cowes on Monday morning.

It will undergo a final inspection back in situ by the MCA on Tuesday, April 12, with the aim of returning to service on Wednesday, April 13 — a week earlier than expected.

A launch service will remain in operation for foot passengers and cyclists until then.

Cllr Phil Jordan, cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: "We have taken this opportunity to do some other routine works to the vessel, such as repainting, works to electrical systems and an update to the on-board CCTV.

"Our aim now is to return the ferry to service as swiftly and safely as possible."