HOPES are sinking fast for the survival of the historic Fleetwood to Knott End ferry service after council officials said its future was "very, very doubtful".

The announcement came after Wyre councillors met with members of Preesall Town Council, local residents and Wyre MP, Hilton Dawson, for talks on Friday, January 9.

It was hoped that the meeting -- called by Mr Dawson -- would discuss alternative ways of funding the existing project, including introducing further attempts to find a larger ferry operator.

But speaking after the meeting, Wyre leader, Cllr Alan Vincent said: "Previous experience tells me that it is very, very doubtful we can find an operator and do a deal that stacks up financially for the council tax payers of Wyre."

As reported in The Citizen (December 18) the 100-year-old service was withdrawn after councillors decided there was a lack of interest and high running costs were proving "too great".

Plans to create a new-look ferry slip and £100,000 purpose-build vessel were also shelved despite Lancashire County Council already commissioning a naval architect to start work on the project.

Mr Dawson said: "The Fleetwood to Knott End ferry is one of only two river ferry services in the entire North West region. It should be preserved and modernised as a sustainable form of transport and as an important part of the regeneration of both Fleetwood and rural Wyre.

"The ferry has also been proven to have had a beneficial effect on tourism in the borough with around 15,000 passengers using it over the last two years.

"I'm sure that, subject to further council approval, the scheme can attract further funding from bodies such as the North West Development Agency and provide the eventual service operator with a very lucrative business."

The future of the scheme will now be debated at the next meeting of Wyre's Physical Environment Committee on Thursday, January 22.