THE paddle steamer Waverley will make a return to Llandudno this summer for an extended period.

Starting on Wednesday June 19 Waverley will sail from Llandudno offering day and afternoon cruises.

North Wales Pioneer: PS Waverley steaming past the Great OrmePS Waverley steaming past the Great Orme

Waverley’s general manager, Paul Semple, said: “We have seen increasing support from North Wales and in particular from locals and visitors joining at Llandudno Pier. As a result, we are bringing the ship to the area for an extended period this year in mid June.

North Wales Pioneer: PS Waverley at LlandudnoPS Waverley at Llandudno

In recent years we have found cruises sell out quickly due to the popularity of the unique trips Waverley offers. This year we are offering several options to cruise from Llandudno including sailings to view Orme Head, Puffin Island and the north Anglesey coast.”

Waverley is currently berthed in Glasgow and will move to dry dock next week before final preparations take place for her sailing season which begins over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Waverley operates in several areas around the U.K. including the Firth of Clyde and Western Isles in Scotland, the Bristol Channel, South Coast and the Thames.

In past years she has been joined by another North Wales favourite, the excursion ship Balmoral. But this vessel is currently in Bristol awaiting work to be undertaking to remedy problems with her hull plating. Funds for this project are currently being raised

Tickets for all of Waverley’s cruises from Llandudno and Liverpool are now on sale at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or by calling 0141 243 2224.

Paddle Steamer Waverley was built for the London and North Eastern Railway and entered service on 16th June 1947.

Waverley is the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world and was given to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society in 1974. Since 1975 Waverley has operated on a not for profit basis and is owned by a charity. Annually she carries more than 120,000 passengers a variety of cruises around the U.K. She was nominated as being one of the top three nostalgic journeys in the world”.