A POPULAR new pier celebrated its second anniversary with a special three-hour evening cruise last night .The MV Balmoral berthed at Southwold Pier, which opened on July 3, 2001, to take around 500 passengers on a cruise up the coast, which was specially chartered by pier owners Chris and Helen Iredale.

A POPULAR new pier celebrated its second anniversary with a special three-hour evening cruise last night .

The MV Balmoral berthed at Southwold Pier, which opened on July 3, 2001, to take around 500 passengers on a cruise up the coast, which was specially chartered by pier owners Chris and Helen Iredale.

The ship inaugurated the return of passenger vessels to the resort in 2001 after a break of 70 years.

Passengers on board were due to be entertained by the Mario Price Duo as they were wined and dined during the trip to Great Yarmouth and back.

The vessel visits the pier every year in July.

Mr Iredale said the pier had been "really busy lately", and regular clientele were beginning to return.

"We see the same faces come back year after year now," he said.

"We get all sorts. I think there's something for everyone. We have got the novelty amusements on the pier. Then there's the ship, and the wedding room on the end."

Since the pier was given a licence to hold marriages last year, around 40 couples have chosen the venue to get hitched.

New benches have been installed along the pier, and the site is the venue for an exhibition on the rise and demise of the country's piers.