As it happened: Brittany Ferries' Barfleur's final sailing from Poole

Summary

Listen back to BBC Radio Solent's Breakfast in Dorset show as Brittany Ferries' Barfleur sails out of Poole for the final time
The operator has blamed high costs and falling passenger numbers for the decision to end the 34-year route to Cherbourg and sell the vessel
People gathered on the shoreline and on small boats to say farewell
The ferry cast off its moorings at Poole's ferry terminal a few minutes after its 08:30 BST scheduled departure time

Live Reporting

Written by Stephen Stafford and edited by Michael Stoddard

'Normandy was our next-door neighbour'published at 07:56 BST 12 October

Image source, Catherine Clarke
Countless travellers have embarked on holidays, school visits or day trips, while for anyone living and working within sight of Poole Harbour, the ship has been an ever-present sight.
Catherine Clarke fondly remembers school trips and family holidays as a child, and has also taken her own family on board.
"It's just the most iconic route. There is no other crossing as beautiful - leaving Poole, passing Brownsea Island, the excitement of seeing the glamourous houses at Sandbanks and waving at people on the chain ferry.
"You felt your holidays started the moment you stepped aboard. The food was amazing - it's like you're already in France.
"It felt like Normandy was our next door neighbour."
Floatilla warning ahead of departurepublished at 07:51 BST 12 October

With people expected to wave Barfleur off from 08:30 BST, both onshore and on the water, Poole Harbour Commissioners have issued an exclusion zone from the ferry terminal across Poole Harbour.
In a statement, they said: "It is anticipated that residents and visiting enthusiasts may attend in possibly significant numbers to witness her departure from appropriate viewpoints ashore or underway small vessels afloat."
It said a "moving exclusion zone" would be in place 500m ahead and 50m either side and astern of the ferry.
"Other inbound vessels should expect delays and, where possible, plan to avoid the Main Shipping Channel," it added.

What time will Barfleur depart?published at 07:43 BST 12 October

Image source, George Holland
Passengers and vehicles have been embarking on to Barfleur over the past few hours.
The ferry is due to leave from RoRo3 berth at 08:30 BST, subject to operational factors such as the weather.
It takes about 20 minutes to cross Poole Harbour, passing the National Trust's Brownsea Island, towards the entrance to the harbour at Sandbanks.After passing the chain ferry, it turns and is visible from Studland, along the Purbeck coast and Swanage, before it heads for the open sea.
The crossing to Cherbourg usually takes about four hours and 45 minutes.
A fond farewell to Barfleurpublished at 07:34 BST 12 October

Welcome to our live coverage as Poole prepares to say farewell to Barfleur - the cross-Channel ferry that has sailed from the Dorset coast for more than 30 years.The ship is being sold and the Poole-Cherbourg route ended as part of Brittany Ferries' restructuring announced in June.
Listen live as BBC Radio Solent's Breakfast in Dorset with Steve Harris brings you all the atmosphere from the shoreline in Poole Harbour.
Image source, Getty IMages