A £400,000 repair of a Southampton ferry pontoon will go ahead after Hampshire County Council agreed to fund the work.

The wave break pontoon at Town Quay, used by White Horse Ferries for its services to Hythe, became unstable after years of use and has been out of order since August.

Hampshire County Council has now stepped in to repair the pontoon after White Horse Ferries, which carries 400,000 passengers a year, said it was unable to fund the full costs of the service.

The works will include the replacement of three sections of the pontoon normally used by the Hythe Ferry and the replacement and strengthening of the pontoon linkages.

Access to the ferry berth will also be improved.

The Hythe ferry will use a berth next to the Red Funnel Red Jet while the work is being completed.

Hampshire County Council is also providing a £450,000 grant over five years for restoration work to Hythe Pier.