HERE'S a sight to gladden the hearts of the many fans in the Forest and Wye Valley of the steamer Balmoral.

The ship was photographed on Monday passing under the old Severn Bridge on her way from Avonmouth to Sharpness – where she was due to have her bottom painted and other minor maintenance carried out.

She spent several weeks in Sharpness dry dock last June undergoing her five year survey which she passed with flying colours and since that time the charity which now owns her – MV Balmoral Fund Ltd – has continued to raise money and make plans for her return to service.

In February the ship was awarded a £344,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery's coastal communities fund which has enabled planning to go ahead for a re-entry into passenger service this summer.

A timetable is currently under preparation and it is very much hoped that the ship will return to service on the Bristol Channel in June of this year and will be able to resume her sailings from Lydney and elsewhere.