FEARS are growing that Dart­mouth's historic Lower Ferry could be sold off.

South Hams councillors are being asked to agree a 'full options appraisal' is undertaken on the future of the district council-owned vehicle and passenger ferry service across the River Dart.

And the best way to reduce operating cost and increase efficiency could see the service end up in the hands of an independent operator, councillors learned at a meeting yesterday.

But Kingsbridge and Stokenham councillor Julian Brazil, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for the South Hams, warned that taking the 'lifeline' service out of the control of council would be a disaster for residents and visitors.

And Dartmouth district and county councillor Jonathan Hawkins, a senior Conservative, said he would be opposed any moves to sell off the ferry service.

But he said if any operational changes had to be made, he would like to see the vital service offered back to Dartmouth Town Council.

Both senior figures were expected to attend the meeting of the South Hams Council's executive committee where councillors were being asked to approve a detailed assessment is carried out on the ferry by the autumn.

Cllr Brazil said the ferry was a money-making operation for the district council.

'But more importantly, the ferry is there to provide a service that is absolutely essential for the local community,' he said. 'It would be a disaster if we got rid of it.'

For more on this story, see this week's Dartmouth Chronicle