THE WORLD'S first commercial hovercraft, which used to ferry passengers between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, is going on display for the first time in Lee-on-the-Solent.

The Saunders Roe-built SRN6 Sea Hawk was owned by leisure chiefs at Southampton City Council but was later loaned to the Hovercraft Museum Trust in Gosport.

Now, after hundreds of hours of painstaking work, the fully restored craft is to go on display this weekend.

Launched in 1964 it became an instant success, ferrying thousands of commuters and holidaymakers alike between Southampton and the Island along with its sister vessel, Sea Eagle.

The historic craft had a top speed of 70 knots (about 65mph) and carried a maximum of 58 passengers.

It was one of 85 vehicles built at Cowes on the Isle of Wight and Woolston's Spitfire Quay.

It completed 20,000 hours of service before it was withdrawn, making it the most used hovercraft in the world.

The vehicle was owned by British Rail under the SEASPEED banner until 1986 when the route was taken over by Hovertravel.

Sea Hawk continued to ply its trade with help from the City Council and the British Hovercraft Corporation until Boxing Day in 1990 when it finally came to rest at its berth under the Woolston Bridge for the last time. Trustees of the museum project say they are "delighted" that the vehicle will be displayed.

Captain Alan Burns, the first pilot of the hovercraft, recalled how it had travelled under its own power to Scotland to help provide transport during golf championships. He said: "It is great to hear that she is about to go on display in the Solent area. It was a joy to captain her."

Warwick Jacobs, one of the trustees added: "We are fortunate that she is here on display in the Solent and we must thank Southampton City Council for that."

You can see Sea Hawk at the museum's two-day Hovershow on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 4pm.