Repairs to Ben are put on hold

Planned repairs to the Ben-my-Chree have been postponed.

Following advice from the manufacturers about the length of time needed to carry out the work, a planned three-day stay in dry dock, from September 30, has been cancelled.

Chief executive Mark Woodward said: 'On a positive note this does at least allow us to offer some additional Birkenhead services as well as increased freight capacity.'

He added: 'We now need to consider carefully when this repair work is best completed after taking further advice from the manufacturer about revised delivery dates.'

One of the ship's two bow thrusters failed earlier this year, after ingesting debris.