A MUCH loved ship is set to begin its summer season of sailings from Penarth Pier this week.

The coastal cruising ship, The Balmoral, starts her peak summer sailing on Friday, July 29 which will include 26 sailing days from Penarth.

She will be sailing in her home waters of the Bristol Channel until Monday, September 5.

The plan is for a total of 40 sailing days in this period, calling at her traditional Wales and west country piers ports and harbours.

She will sail from the end of the pier in Penarth with some days including two trips.

The ship returned to the waters in 2015 after being laid up for three years.

But thanks to more than £300,000 being raised from public donations and a £344,000 Coastal Communities Grant, she made her come back last summer.

Since then more than £500,000 has been raised to help meet the costs of running and maintaining her.

Despite losing a significant number of sailing days due to poor weather last summer, organisers are hopeful of a successful season in 2016.

She will sail over the channel to Clevedon, up the River Avon into Bristol under Brunel’s famous suspension bridge.

There will be three bridge cruises up the River Seven and River Usk as well as sailings to Ilfracombe, Minehead and Watchet.

The Balmoral's importance to Penarth and its pier has been recognised by Penarth Town Council which donated £1000 to support its return last year.

In a letter to the owners of the ship, the council wrote: "The service MV Balmoral offers is an invaluable asset to the tourism sector of the UK and serves very well the Victorian seaside towns such as Penarth during its spring, summer and autumn season."

Balmoral spokesman, Paul Doubler said: "The Balmoral's sailings will provide an economic boost to Penarth through the thousands of passengers that will come in and out of the coastal town to join or depart Balmoral.

"Balmoral is much loved by generations of Welsh people.

"After successful visits to the south coast, the River Thames, north Wales and the Isle of Man, Balmoral comes home for her busiest period with many wonderful summer sailings."

The Balmoral is the last of the White Funnel steamers and includes heated lounges, a bar and restaurant as well as a capacity for up to 500 passengers.

For full details of Balmoral’s excursion timetable and to book tickets, go to www.whitefunnel.co.uk or call 0117 325 6200.