Ferry crosses the Mersey on final voyage after 66 years

An "iconic" ferry that crossed on the River Mersey for 66 years has set sail on its final voyage.

The Royal Iris of the Mersey featured in the 1965 film Ferry Cross the Mersey, starring the band Gerry and the Pacemakers, who also sang the legendary title song.

It is set to be replaced by the new £26m vessel Royal Daffodil later this year.

Liam Phelan, head of operations at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said the Royal Iris is estimated to have carried more than 17 million people since 1960 during its long service between Liverpool and Wirral.

"Locally, she's as iconic probably as the Graces and the Mersey Tunnels," he added.

"She's part of the history of the Mersey and obviously today's a bit of a sad day for us."

Michael Gittins travelled on the final service with his wife Lucy as they scattered her late father's ashes in the river.

"He was a sailor and he loved coming on to the ferry as well with his kids and his grandkids," he said.

"He always used to say his favourite part of sailing around the world was coming into the Mersey, seeing the Three Graces and coming back home."

Passenger Craig Macdonald said: "It's part and parcel of Liverpool really, isn't it?

"So many people over the years have used this to get over the water."

The Royal Iris, which also sailed on the Manchester Ship Canal, featured in BBC shows Peaky Blinders and The Liver Birds.

It was previously known as Mountwood after its launch in 1959 until a major refurbishment in 2001.

She received her current name on her return to service in 2002, following a major revamp.

Services across the river were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with Benedictine monks from Birkenhead Priory running the first regular ferries to Liverpool's markets in the 12th Century.