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HOLIDAYMAKERS and day trippers to the Isle of Purbeck look set for a long drive home tonight after a technical problem put the Sandbanks Ferry out of action at lunchtime.

The ferry, which links Sandbanks to Studland, suffered a broken chain and went out of action at around 1.30pm.

David Martin, who runs Haven Sports and Leisure Centre in Banks Road, Sandbanks, said: "I gather one of the chains has broken on the ferry.

"I heard the warning on the ferry go off and I've heard it's off until 9pm."

Mr Martin said that it appeared people had heard of the fault and it was causing little disruption; the Sandbanks side of the crossing was quiet.

Neil McCheyne, general manager of the ferry, said a link in one of the chains had "opened up". The operators had a spare chain on site and engineers were busy fitting, with the hope of being back in service by 9pm.

Buses have been laid on to take beachgoers back from the Studland side of the crossing to Sandbanks and a small boat service capable of carrying up to 10 people at a time is also operating.

Signs have been put up on surrounding roads to warn drivers of the closure.

Mr McCheyne said: "In my experience - I've been here about eight years - it's not happened. I believe it's happened in the past, but only when other vessels have come into contact with the chain.

The problem could also affect the first night of the Studland Country Fair, which begins at 7pm.