WE booked with Red Funnel to take our car across to the Isle of Wight on the 9pm sailing on the Friday of the May bank holiday weekend.

We arrived early and the 8pm boat was in dock. To travel on this ferry we were asked for £30 on top of what we had already paid. It left half empty with about 20 other travellers, like ourselves, not on it.

There are only two ferry companies operating services to the Island and travellers are paying high prices for a short crossing.

It is said that tourism to the Island has dropped - no wonder when you have to pay the cost of the ferry crossing, then accommodation.

It is cheaper to go to France.

MRS M WILLIAMS (by email).