THE battered Hythe ferry service was back up and running again today as an investigation got under way into a crash which wrecked its pier.

The pier was left with an 80ft gap in it after it had been hit by the Marchwood-based dredger Donald Redford at around 6.10pm on Saturday.

Early reports that there were people in the water sparked a massive search of the area by the Solent Coastguard helicopter, the police and the Hampshire Fire and Rescue service. However, the indications are that there were no casualties.

The accident happened just after two packed ferries had delivered their boatloads of Southampton football fans on their way home from the Manchester City match at St Mary's.

Meanwhile the 37-year-old master of the dredger was arrested, but was later released on police bail.

Just minutes from disaster - see the 'This is Southampton' homepage.