PASSENGERS say it is a “great shame” after popular river cruises scheduled to set sail from Southend Pier this weekend were cancelled.

Thirteen Waverley cruises to or from Southend Pier were scheduled to take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a significant number already sold out as the famous steamer was anticipated to return to the pier.

But those gearing up for the cruises were left disappointed after “technical issues” meant they can no longer go ahead.

Each cruise trip accommodates around 800 passengers, with thousands expected to have booked for this weekend’s excursions.

However, these trips have now been cancelled as the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer is currently under repair.

Southend resident, Simon Murdoch, had booked to go on Saturday.

He said: “I think it is a great shame this has happened but these things do happen with floating debris on rivers.

“I was really looking forward to my trip up the Thames and under Tower Bridge twice.

“A similar thing happened a few seasons ago at Southend as well.

“Although they do carry spare parts for the paddles onboard Waverley it is sadly not an easy task to replace the broken wooden parts of the paddle and does take a few days to complete.”

After leaving Portsmouth last night en route to the Thames, a mechanical defect was discovered on one of the Waverley’s paddles.

Consequently, Waverley returned to Portsmouth where repair works are now ongoing and projected to take an estimated three days to complete.

A spokesman for Southend Pier and Railway stated: “Unfortunately due to technical issues, the trips from Southend Pier scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday have been cancelled.

“Waverley Excursions will be contacting ticket holders directly.”

A spokesman for Waverley Excursions also said: “We are working as swiftly as possible to ensure that Waverley can sail on Monday, September 30 as advertised.

“We sincerely apologise for having to cancel sailings to conduct this work and for the disappointment and inconvenience this will cause our passengers.

“Those with pre-booked tickets will be contacted directly, and tickets can either be transferred or refunded.”