A SPECIALIST valuation officer has been appointed to review the plight of the Hythe Ferry after a 740 per cent rates rise was imposed.

The Daily Echo is backing a campaign to save the vital service, which carries 400,000 passengers between the Waterside and Southampton every year.

Ferry bosses say they may have to close the link as soon as next winter if they are forced to pay the crippling bills, set to soar by thousands of pounds.

White Horse Ferries believe the latest move is just another way for valuation chiefs to delay making the final decision.

The case has now been referred to a specialist in the valuation of ferry terminals.

In a letter to New Forest East MP Julian Lewis, David Russell-Smith, from the Southampton Valuation Office, wrote: "In view of the difficulties that have arisen and the very specialist nature of this type of property, I have referred the case to a colleague of mine, Mr Roger Knight of our Specialist Rating Unit.

"He is a specialist in the valuation of ferry terminals, and whilst the majority of those he deals with are on a larger scale than the pier at Hythe, it is something that he feels is appropriate for him to deal with. I have explained the issues to him and asked that they be dealt with as a matter of some priority."

The heavily subsidised service receives more than £100,000 in annual grant aid from the county council towards repair work and to keep the ferry afloat. Mr Russell-Smith has requested information on this relief and will consider the information when the rates are reviewed.

Director of White Horse Ferries Richard Lay said: "I see it as a way of them putting off making the decision themselves.

"They have tried to extort money from the ferry by recklessly increasing the rateable value. It has been totally unprofessional and reckless.

"They should have been straight over to reassess it as soon as they realised they had made a mistake."

Mr Lay also expressed concern over whether Mr Knight would be suitable to review Hythe Ferry's case if he normally deals with much larger terminals.

MP Julian Lewis said: "This is an encouraging sign but we must all keep up the relentless pressure in support of the Daily Echo's vital campaign to save Hythe Ferry."

WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE PETITION IN HYTHE:

Shell garage

Martins

Waitrose

Hythe Post Office

Newman's Good Foods

Lord Nelson pub

Magpie

Victoria's

Tilley's Cake Shop

Collins Jewellery

Bodytalk

Little Miracle

Bushnell estate agents

King's estate agents

Mann's estate agents

Cards For All Occasions

Robert James

Unwins Wines

X Catalogue

Forest Edge News

Madgwicks

Bryley Hardware

Uppercuts

Shamrock Chandlery

Boots

Dibden Post Office