THE Floating Bridge will be going cashless in a bid to protect staff and passengers.

The Isle of Wight Council has announced from Monday, March 23 no cash will be accepted by the crew on the vessel or by foot passenger ticket collectors.

The service will continue to run as usual to and from Cowes and East Cowes but measures will be introduced to 'reduce the level of risk to staff and users'.

Payment will be taken by way of the saver card, webapp or pre-purchased casual tickets, bought from ticket machines, only.

On the vessel, motorists' tickets and cards will be scanned through closed windows.

Foot passengers will have to scan their own tickets via self-scan units.

Other measures include hand gel being placed on board, crew wearing blue gloves and staff will be regularly cleaning touch points as well throughout the day.