Passengers had to be evacuated after a fire broke out on a ferry crossing the Solent this morning.

The fire happened on a Wightlink car ferry which was making its way from Portsmouth to Fishbourne.

It is believed that the fire is on the bridge of the ferry and passengers have been moved to one end of the ship.

One person wrote on social media: “Fire on the [ferry].

"Nobody hurt, but hope there is not too much damage."

A spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "At about 9.30 today the St Faith Wight Link car ferry contacted the UK Coastguard reporting a fire on their bridge wing port side.

"When the call was made, the vessel was on route from Portsmouth to Fishbourne, Isle of Wight.

"The vessel is now alongside the ferry terminal in Fishbourne.

"UK Coastguard immediately sent the Bembridge Coastguard Rescue Team, Cowes RNLI Lifeboat, Isle of Wight Fire Service and the Hampshire Police to the scene.

"The fire has been extinguished and all passengers have been evacuated from the vessel, with no reported injuries".

Wightlink Ferries confirmed: "The fire was extinguished within minutes, and no one was injured."