RECORD funding from councils has helped a 150-year-old passenger ferry sail on.

Kent County Council (KCC) has signed a new contract to continue the operation of the Gravesend to Tilbury passenger ferry.

There are more than 70,000 journeys a year on the ferry with passengers using it for work and day trips.

The ferry has been operated by Lower Thames and Medway Passenger Boat Company Ltd for five years.

The contract came up for renewal in July this year and the existing operators won the bid to continue the service for another two years.

For the past 10 years KCC has annually subsidised the ferry but this year KCC and Thurrock Council jointly funded the service a record £170,000.

Chairman of the Gravesham Joint Transportation Board Councillor Mike Snelling said: "The new contract will bring benefits to all existing and potential users of the ferry and I am delighted we have secured the service for the immediate future."

For more information, call 07973 390124.