AFTER successful visits to the south coast, London and the Thames, North Wales and the Isle of Man, MV Balmoral has returned to her home waters of the Bristol Channel.

The 1949 Classic Coastal Cruising Vessel starts the main summer season with 42 days of sailing from now until Monday, September 5.

As well her principle port of call, the Balmoral will be making calls to Minehead and a return to Watchet, enabled thanks to the council assisting with the dredging of the harbour.

The Balmoral gives a tourism boost to the area, bringing in several thousand tourists from North Devon, Bristol and Clevedon and across the channel from Wales. This year will also see six trips to Lundy Island.

The ship, which has a capacity for up to 500 passengers, features heated lounges and a bar and restaurant.

With heated lounges, a bar and restaurant and capacity for up to 500 passengers Balmoral really is a great day out.

Paul Doubler, spokesman for Balmoral said: “The North Devon and Somerset coastline has always been the 'Mecca destination' for pleasure steamers for hundreds of years.

Balmoral continues that great tradition by helping to boost the local economy and being a great asset to the tourist industry.

"It is hoped that the sun shines and that the ship will have a very successful season, giving pleasure to many thousands of locals and holiday makers alike.”