FOLLOWING overnight and morning repair work, Cowes Floating Bridge has returned to service this afternoon (Wednesday).

The chain ferry that links Cowes and East Cowes had been off since a piece of pipework on the east prow failed, causing the service to be cancelled last night.

Before the latest setback, the floating bridge had been in action for around three weeks since it was last brought back into service after a breakdown.

The Isle of Wight Council claims the floating bridge ran for 193 of the 195 days, between January 1 and July 13.

However, it appears that includes days when it ran for a time, before it broke down or was taken out of service.

Read more: Still off: Floating Bridge out of action

In its absence, a replacement foot passenger launch, the Jenny Boat, has covered the route across the River Medina.

In the six months to August, the launch cost nearly £80,000.

The Isle of Wight County Press has asked the Isle of Wight Council for further comment.