THE famous Waverley paddle steamer's final summer cruises of the year from Helensburgh and Kilcreggan were cancelled after she collided with the promenade in Rothesay.

The accident, at around 3pm on Friday, August 25, resulted in damage to the ship's bow, though no-one on board was injured.

Passengers were returned to their destinations on the mainland via Caledonian MacBrayne's ferries.

The company which manages the steamer, Waverley Excursions, cancelled the cruises over the weekend - the paddler's last of her main Clyde summer season - and have now confirmed that the vessel will be out of service until September 6.

A spokesperson for Waverley Excursions Ltd, told the Advertiser: "An incident occurred on Friday August 25 in which damage was sustained to the ship’s bow.

"Waverley sailed to dry dock for repair and will be out of service until September 6 whilst the steelwork is cut out and replaced.

"Waverley will be back in service as soon as repairs have been completed and is expected to pick up her timetable on the South Coast."

Passengers who have booked on the Waverley's upcoming sailings in Liverpool and North Wales and the Bristol Channel were contacted and asked to return their tickets for a refund.

The Waverley will return to the Clyde to undertake her last two sailings of the season on October 14 and October 15.