A HAMPSHIRE ferry was targeted in a laser pen attack, causing what police describe as a navigational hazard.

The blinding light was aimed at the bridge of an Isle of Wight vessel as it crossed the Solent and follows a spate of similar attacks on planes, trains and cars.

The incident, in February, is thought to be the first in the UK involving a ferry.

Now the Rail and Maritime Union has called on ferry companies to issue crews with advice and support to deal with any future laser pen attacks.

General secretary Mike Cash said: "It is a sinister and worrying development that the abuse of laser pens has now extended to the UK ferry industry.

"The dangers of crew being blinded when manoeuvring vessels close to land are obvious and terrifying."

Details of the incident were released in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Ministry of Defence.

But the operator has not been named and it is unclear if the company involved was Wightlink, Red Funnel or Hovertravel, whose vessels are sometimes classed as ferries.

Last night staff at all three companies said they had no knowledge of any incident involving a laser pen.

A national newspaper said MoD Police had received a report of someone "shining a laser light into the bridge of the Isle of Wight ferry, causing a navigational hazard".

A MoD spokesman said the report would have been passed to Hampshire Police.