FOR many commuting to and from work is a nightmare.

Every day you grind to a halt in the all too familiar rush hour traffic jam and your stress levels start to rise before you have even set foot in the office.

For Lucy Wood, a 34-year-old researcher, being able to travel to work via the Hythe Ferry to Southampton is something of a luxury.

She is wholeheartedly backing the Daily Echo's campaign to save the vital service which she believes improves her quality of life.

For 20 minutes on the pier train and ferry each way every day, hundreds of commuters take the time to read a book or watch the world sail by.

"I don't drive so I would have to get the bus if the ferry closed and that would take forever," said Lucy, of Langdown Road.

"I really enjoy the ferry ride to work and it really improves my quality of life.

"I dread to think what would happen to local businesses without it. It would be a disaster."

Fellow commuter Darren Leftwich, 36, an insurance claims consultant, of Lodge Drive, Dibden Purlieu, added: "I chose my job partly because it allowed me to use the ferry.

"It would be terrible if the ferry closed. I would have to drive to Southampton and find a parking space before getting to work. It would be an extra expense."

The ferry operators fear that they may be force to close the vital service if they are made to foot the bill for a 740 per cent rates increase.

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

Do you believe that Hythe Ferry should be saved? Call Sarah Jones on 01590 613839 and tell her what the service means to you.