PENSIONERS in Hythe are devastated that they will lose a large part of their independence if the threatened ferry service to Southampton closes.

Residents at Homeborough House live just around the corner from the ferry terminal and many rely on it to get to city centre shops and hospitals.

They are lending their full support to the Daily Echo campaign to save the Hythe Ferry and rushed to add their names to our growing petition, which already boasts at least 700 signatures.

Ruth Gammon, 75, rallied her neighbours after reading about the ferry service's plight.

"I got everyone to sign the petition because we are all elderly with no cars and it gives us a bit of independence," she said.

Fellow resident Pat Mounce, 77, said: "I use it at least once a week for shopping and going to the opticians. I am diabetic and have to keep getting my eyes tested."

The residents all take advantage of the free bus that runs between the ferry terminal at Town Quay in Southampton and the city centre and train station.

Ferry bosses fear they may be force to axe the service if they are made to foot the bill for a staggering 740 per cent business rate increase.

It would cost owner White Horse Ferries thousands of pounds extra to run the ferry link, which is already heavily subsidised by local taxpayers.

June Munro, house manager at the sheltered housing complex off Brinton Lane in Hythe village centre, added: "It would be a great loss for the residents."

If you want to get involved with backing the Daily Echo campaign to save the Hythe Ferry, download a petition from our website and get as many people to sign it as possible. Go to: www.thisissouthampton.co.uk/campaigns - or click the Campaigns link on the left of the 'This is Southampton' homepage.