A NEW boat will be operating in Yarmouth Harbour as the fishing season gears up for the summer.

Our Gemma, a Mitchell 31 sea angler, will be run by Lee and Sandra Hall, owners of Blackrock Charters and Fishing on The Quay.

Lee and Sandra took over the business last year, and after a successful summer, have upgraded their previous boat, The Alaminta.

Lee said: "Our Gemma is a mark II version of The Alaminta, so it has more deck space for people to walk around and there is also a wheelchair access and ramp.

"We had a great first season, especially with the weather last summer, but had to turn away quite a few people.

"So, we're not too sure about what to do with The Alaminta.

"It's up for sale at the moment, but we have advertised for a new summer skipper to see if we can still run it during the season.

"Our two-hour mackerel trips and visits to The Needles are really popular.

"We continued operating during the winter as well and want to ensure we look after our regular Island fishermen customers.

"We were also running special monthly trips which were free for the charity, Veteran's Outreach Support, which provides mental health therapies for former members of the British Armed Forces and Reserves."

The couple were former publicans at the Langley Tavern, Langley.