Anyone for a cruise?

Freedom, a 12-seater covered boat run by new venture Kingfisher Cruises, has been well received by passengers on the 45-minute round trips round the harbour and up to Ford, say Valerie Lee and skipper Andy Lewis, partners in the business.

"Everyone who goes on the boat says how lovely it is," Valerie, who also runs the Leeside Caf at Rope Walk, told the Gazette.

Last Wednesday was a particularly busy time, with 30 Sea Scouts who were camping nearby making three separate trips on Freedom.

While there are speedboat trips out to sea, there had been no cruises upstream from Littlehampton since Skylark Cruises moved its base to Arundel two years ago. Sadly, Tony Thorn, owner of Skylark Cruises, died two months ago and Valerie took over one of his boats, Freedom.

And it's not just the passengers who are finding Freedom to their liking, according to Valerie. On the more rural stretches of the river, birds, including herons, which used to fly away when the other Skylark boats, which have open tops, approached, now stay put because they see less movement in the covered cruiser.

The boat is now operating trips daily from Nelson Steps, Arun Parade, on the hour from 10am, for 5 per person, or 3.50 children, including tea and cake. Telephone 07814 183824 for more information.