CROSS Solent ferry operator Red Funnel has brought its vessel Red Eagle back into service again on the Southampton to East Cowes route in time for the busy Easter weekend.

It follows the ship's stretch and refit in Poland.

The work was carried out in Gdansk between December last year and earlier this month and involved the installation of a new hull mid-section that extends the length of the vessel to 93 metres and a new high level vehicle deck.

The interior has also been refitted with a new entrance lobby and upper passenger saloon.

The project is the final part of a £10m investment programme, which has seen the same work carried out to Red Eagle's sister vessels, Red Osprey and Red Falcon in 2004.

The new vehicle decks have increased capacity on the Southampton to East Cowes route by some 65 per cent.

Red Eagle's return means that Red Funnel not only operates the youngest fleet but also the three largest vehicle ferries ever to service the Isle of Wight. The timetable has reverted to an hourly schedule, with departures from Southampton on the hour and from East Cowes on the half hour.

Colin Hetherington, Red Funnel's commercial director, said: "We are delighted to welcome Red Eagle back into service.

"Red Funnel has been operating ferries on the Solent for more than 140 years and we are continually looking to improve our offer to customers through service excellence, bigger vessels and enhanced on board facilities.''