THE engine that caught fire this morning (Friday) on board Wightlink's Wight Sky ferry was new this autumn, Wightlink have said.

The engine caught fire during the 6.25am service from Yarmouth to Lymington.

The ferry had nine crew and 43 passengers on board. There were no injuries. The 17 vehicles on board the sailing disembarked at Lymington.

A spokesperson for Wightlink said: "Immediately after the alarm was raised on Wight Sky on arrival at Lymington, the master activated the ship’s fire suppressant service, which was effective.

"Wightlink has suspended the service between Lymington and Yarmouth but plans to resume sailings on the route on Sunday afternoon, subject to an inspection visit by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

"All customers scheduled to travel on the route today and tomorrow have been notified and rebooked on Wightlink’s Portsmouth-Fishbourne service.

"The engine affected by the fire was brand new and installed on Wight Sky during refit this autumn by the manufacturers’ agent.

"Up until this morning, it had been in operation for 390 hours."