RED Funnel has announced cancellations to its car ferry service tonight (Sunday).

It comes just as Cowes Week gets underway and as Ventnor Fringe winds up after ten days.

The 7.30pm from Southampton is cancelled, with the next sailings not until 9pm or 11.55pm.

The 9pm from East Cowes is also cancelled, with the next sailing at 10.30pm.

Red Funnel has apologised and said it was due to a critical staff member becoming unavailable at short notice.

It follows a reduced mid-week service due to unavailability of staff, with the ferry operator hoping to protect its busy weekend crossings.

Red Funnel recently said it had 30 per cent of its staff unavailable and it was attempting to fill 50 jobs.