Local residents have their say.

Margaret Langford, Dorothy Marwood, Ruth Gammon, Len Pugsley, Clifford Wheeler and Queenie Gibb. Echo pictures by

Margaret Langford, 81, a lifelong resident of Hythe, said: "It is important for the community and it has been there for so many years. People use it all the time for work and pleasure."

Dorothy Marwood, 79, who has lived in Hythe for 41 years, said: "The ferry is important to the people who live here for travelling. It is very convenient for us old people."

Ruth Gammon, 75, a resident of the Waterside for 50 years, said: "It's part of our history and without it Hythe would be a no-go area."

Len Pugsley, 75, who moved to Hythe in 1952, said: "I don't go on the buses and wouldn't want to because I have got a leg problem and can't walk that far. The ferry is ideal."

Clifford Wheeler, 83, who has lived in Hythe for 28 years, said: "I use the ferry very often. It was the only way to get to Southampton with my wife in a wheelchair."

Queenie Gibb, 78, who has lived in Hythe for 58 years, said: "I have got family who travel on the ferry every day to get to work."