WHEN Cynthia Trollope looks at this old black and white photograph, precious memories of childhood days on the Hythe Pier come flooding back.

More than 70 years on, she is following the Daily Echo's campaign to save the Hythe Ferry with a vested interest and is backing it with her full support.

The great-grandmother holds the ferry so dear to her heart that her three daughters paid for a plank to be inscribed with hers and her late-husband Morris's names a few years ago.

The pair spent many a happy outing together at the pier, as Cynthia, who was born and brought up in Beaulieu, has done throughout her life.

Cynthia, 81, who now lives in Lymington, said: "When I was growing up we used to cycle to Hythe quite a lot to get the ferry to Southampton and I have got very fond memories of that time."

The old photograph shows Cynthia with her mother Marjorie on the pier when she was aged about four or five in the late 1920s.

Remarking on the fact that she does not look very happy in the picture, she said: "When I was that young, I can remember that I did not like walking down the pier very much because there were gaps and I could see the water beneath my feet, so my father used to carry me!"

Cynthia, who spent more than 30 years living in Dibden Purlieu, added: "It would be a disaster to lose the ferry because there has been one there for many, many years."

Cynthia said she felt "proud" that a plank on the pier bears the names "Morris and Cynthia Trollope".

Since 1998 White Horse has run a 'Sponsor a Plank' scheme to raise money towards the restoration of the historic pier.

Local individuals, families and organisations have adopted about 700 new planks so far, raising £42,636.

Each new plank, engraved with a name, message or dedication, has an estimated life expectancy of 40 to 50 years.

The Daily Echo launched a campaign to save the boat link between Hythe and Southampton after ferry bosses announced they could not afford to pay new business rates.

Since the campaign was launched valuation bosses have agreed to review the rates which will eventually cost White Horse Ferries thousands of pounds if they are not revised.