A PASSENGER on a cruise ship called the coastguard after she became stuck on a balcony, just minutes after leaving Southampton.

The woman called Solent Coastguard for help using her mobile phone after she got locked outside the balcony attached to her room.

The coastguard contacted the ship through their radio and a crew member was sent to her rescue.

She had been travelling on an overnight trip to Rouen on deck seven of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines's Braemar when she became locked out at about 9pm tonight while the ship sailed past Fort Gilkicker at Stokes Bay, Gosport.

The 24,344 tonne vessel which can hold 929 passengers is due to arrive at the French port tomorrow afternoon and return to Southampton Sunday morning.

When asked by the Daily Echo whether the situation had arisen before, a member of the coastguard described it as "unique".