Go messing about on the river agin

PASSENGERS will be able to take river boat trips from Littlehampton again from tomorrow (Friday), after a two year absence.

Rope Walk caf owner Valerie Lee launches her new venture, Kingfisher Cruises, from Nelson Steps at 10am.

She has taken over the 12-seater covered boat, Freedom, which was owned by cruise boat operator Tony Thorn, who died two months ago, aged 50.

Mrs Lee, who runs Leeside Caf at Rope Walk, will run 45-minute trips to Ford and back on Freedom, with Andy Lewis, who was previously a skipper with Mr Thorn, at the helm.

"This is something completely new for me, but when the opportunity arose, I thought I should take it.

It's very exciting. We have only had the boat three weeks, but we have worked very hard, and transformed it, with a new colour scheme and new electrics. It's a very comfortable boat and has a retractable roof, so it can go out in all weathers, and if the sun is shining, you can slide the roof back.

"We will be serving tea and cakes on the trips and are looking into night-time cruises too, and trips for businesses or groups.

"The harbourmaster is really pleased we are starting the trips up again. With all the development there has been in the harbour, there is a lot to see now from the river. We will be running the trips daily, right through the summer, on the hour, every hour from 10am."

Tickets for Freedom cost 5 for adults, 3.50 for children, and can be booked by telephoning 07814 183824.