The last sea-going paddle steamer cancelled a sold-out trip from Ipswich that would have allowed passengers to cruise along the River Thames and twice under Tower Bridge.

After completing her programme of sailings on the South Coast on Wednesday, Waverley left Portsmouth and set sail for Ipswich to start three weeks of sailings in the London and Thames Estuary area - a programme of sailings that has seen 12,000 tickets sold.

However, only an hour after departing the Hampshire port with just the ship's crew aboard the seaboard paddle wheel sustained damage requiring Waverley to reduce her speed. As a result, tugs helped take Waverley back to Portsmouth.

On Thursday morning the ship's engineers undertook a full survey of the damage while work has also begun to replace some of the damaged components and to ensure that the paddle wheel can be restored to full working order.

The Waverley was due to arrive in Ipswich on Friday morningThe Waverley was due to arrive in Ipswich on Friday morning

Passengers were due to have taken a bus from Ipswich railway station to Ipswich Docks before sailing down the River Orwell and past the Port of Felixstowe before stopping at Clacton and Southend.

Following this, the Waverley was due to cruise along the River Thames and twice under Tower Bridge before docking at Gravesend with passengers returning to Ipswich from Kent by coach.

As a result of the repairs, the Glasgow-based ship has also cancelled trips from Gravesend, Southend and London over the weekend.

A total of 3,000 tickets had been sold for the first three days of sailings in the London and Thames Estuary area.

It is hoped that following tests on Sunday that Waverley will be able to travel to London to start her programme of sailings in the area starting with a trip from London Tower Pier.

On Friday, October 4, Waverley is due to sail from Clacton to Ipswich for an evening sunset cruise. Passengers from Ipswich can take a special coach from Ipswich station, joining the boat at the Essex seaside resort before sailing back to Ipswich. 

The following day the vessel is due to sail from Ipswich to Gravesend via Clacton, cruising along the Thames and twice under Tower Bridge as Friday's trip was meant to have done.

Last year the paddle steamer returned to Ipswich for the first time in 23 years as more than 500 people boarded the ship in the town.

In a statement Waverley Excursions said : " We regret to confirm that the Ipswich to London Tower Pier sailing under Tower Bridge on Friday 27th September has been cancelled due to a mechanical issue with Waverley’s starboard paddle wheel. Our crew are working hard to repair the defect, and we are hopeful that the ship will be ready to resume her London and Thames programme on Monday 30th September.

"We understand this is deeply disappointing news, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to everyone who was booked to travel - in fact almost 3,000 passengers were due to sail between Friday and Sunday such is the level of support for Waverley on the Thames.

"We are very much looking forward to Waverley's next sailing from Ipswich on Saturday 5th October, which has now sold out. The continued support from our passengers means a great deal, and we look forward to welcoming everyone aboard once Waverley sailing again."