A SOUTHAMPTON ferry operator is restoring the lunchtime Isle of Wight sailings it axed during last summer’s fuel price spike.

Red Funnel blamed the soaring fuel costs for its decision to cut four high speed crossings a day from its timetable.

Its new summer timetable will on Monday restore the round trip Red Jet sailings to West Cowes.

While Red Jets will run every 30 minutes during the day with hourly departures in the evening and early mornings From Saturday, the 7.45am and 8.45am Red Jet sailings from West Cowes will also run at the weekend and the 11.45pm Red Jet departure from Southampton (0015 hrs from West Cowes) will also run all week From Friday the vehicle ferry will revert to an hourly timetable during the day between East Cowes and Southampton.

Last month the Office of Fair Trading said it would investigate allegations of high prices and declining levels of service on ferries to and from the Isle of Wight following an 8,000 signature petition of complaint. There are three routes to the Island run by and Red Funnel, based in Southampton, and Wightlink, based in Lymington and Portsmouth,