A WOMAN in her 60s had to be given a piggyback so she could board the floating bridge during high tide yesterday.

Jane Porter, 63, said passengers were told they had to walk through deep water, up to their mid-shins, to board the bridge.

Unwilling to get her trainers drenched as she had to wear them for the rest of the day, she was unsure what to do, and said a member of staff said: "Do you want to get on or not?"

A younger woman, who said she was strong enough to carry Mrs Porter as she was a regular gym-user, offered her a piggyback.

Mrs Porter said: "I was wearing trainers as I have a bad ankle and they would have been wet all day.

"Surely in this day and age they could have a gangplank or some way for people to board sensibly during high tide, without having to wade through so much water?

"I was so mad, I phoned the council and they told me it didn't happen very often, but I don't find that acceptable."

A spokesperson for the Isle of Wight Council said: "The floating bridge supervisor spoke to a member of the public who was concerned about the high tide.

"We understand she managed to board the bridge and so no further action was taken.

"However as a result of her suggestion we are looking into whether any kind of aid or structure could help on the rare occasions when the high tide affects pedestrian access to the bridge."

Mrs Porter said someone took a photo of her being piggybacked on to the bridge. If this was you, please send it to editor@iwcp.co.uk