A fire-damaged car ferry is expected to leave dock later this month after having about £300,000-worth of repairs done at Yarmouth.The James Newman arrived in the town last month, after being the target of an attack by arsonists in July.

A fire-damaged car ferry is expected to leave dock later this month after having about £300,000-worth of repairs done at Yarmouth.

The James Newman arrived in the town last month, after being the target of an attack by arsonists in July.

The 56m-long vessel is one of the Woolwich ferries, which operate a free service between Woolwich and North Woolwich, in East London.

It is receiving steel and joinery repairs and painting work at Richards Dry Dock and Engineering, on Southtown Road.

Police believe vandals broke into it and started a fire in the passenger seating area.

A spokesman for Transport For London, which funds the Woolwich Ferry Company, said that Richards Dry Dock had been chosen for the cost and quality of its work.

The bill for repairs, which is expected to exceed £300,000, will be met by insurance.

Simon Coote, general manager for Richards, said that about 20 men were working on the ferry, out of a total workforce of 50.

The James Newman, which weighs 739 tonnes, was built in 1963 by Caledonian Engineering and Shipping.

It is one of a fleet of three vessels that have run a free service at Woolwich for the past 40 years.

When in service the ferry carries 23,000 vehicles a week and 64,500 passengers.