LIFE without the Hythe ferry does not bear thinking about for Debbie Talbot.

The wheelchair user relies on the service to keep in touch with friends and family who live on the other side of the water.

It would cost her about £60 to do the same trip using a specially adapted taxi - an expense she simply cannot afford.

Debbie is backing the Daily Echo's campaign to save the link between Hythe and Southampton, which is under threat after business rates soared by 740 per cent.

Ferry bosses have warned they may be forced to axe the already heavily subsidised service because they cannot come up with the thousands of extra pounds expected.

Debbie, 42, has generalised torsion dystonia, which affects her muscles, and also has problems with her spine.

She moved from Southampton about five years ago but regularly uses the ferry to see Cathy Steege, a former next-door-neighbour whom she now regards as her "adopted mum".

"I meet Mum in town a lot to go shopping or to the pictures," said Debbie. "It is a real lifeline for me to be able to keep that contact with Mum and the kids. I haven't really got a choice but to use the ferry. I use it at least once a month, and even more in the summer."

All the staff and crew at the ferry know Debbie and lend a hand whenever she needs extra assistance.

Debbie said: "It's so nice to have that freedom to use the ferry, or else I would be so isolated.

"I go over on my own. They have to help me sometimes but they are always willing to do that. They are very friendly and I always have a laugh with them."

Cathy also regularly travels over on the ferry to visit Debbie with her granddaughter Dan-ielle, aged ten.

Retired Cathy, 66, added: "I wouldn't be able to see them as much as I wanted without the ferry. It would mean that I would have to use a bus and Danielle would not be able to come as often because she gets travel sick on the bus."