I TRAVELLED by Red Funnel to the Isle of Wight recently to play my first seniors golf open.

It added to the day to spend an hour each way on the ferry. Coming back we saw in Southampton Water the classically built liner, Saga Ruby, and the Tall ship, JST's Lord Nelson - both beautiful ships.

It is such a shame to our city that departure and arrival is beside a real eyesore on the waterfront namely the derelict Royal Pier.

It is high time ABP are shamed into completely restoring it. It could perhaps then be the WOW factor!

Richard Strother, Southampton.