The new Glen Sannox ferry has been removed from service because of a crack in the ship's hull, according to the ferry operator CalMac.The brand new vessel only began operating in January after being delivered almost seven years late and costing more than four times the original contract price.

On 13 January, the delayed and over-budget MV Glen Sannox finally made its maiden voyage - from Troon in South Ayrshire to Brodick on the Isle of Arran.

Services on the newly launched ship, which only entered service in January, had to be halted last Friday because of a crack on a weld seam on the hull.

The multi-million pound ferry, which only began operating in January, was taken out of service on Friday following the discovery.

The new Glen Sannox ferry is expected to resume sailings on Sunday afternoon following repairs to a hairline crack in the ship's hull. But CalMac confirmed the scheduled morning sailing had been cancelled to allow a second test on the welding work.