Doncaster partyboat hit by arson attack set to sail again as repairs near completion

The Wyre Lady, which hosts parties on cruises up and down the River Don, suffered serious damage after being set ablaze in a deliberate attack last June.

But its owners have said that work to restore the boat is nearly finished – and its diary for 2021 bookings is now open.

A brief post on Facebook read: “After devastating news someone set the old girl on fire, we can now say nearly all repairs have been completed on the Wyre Lady. The 2021 diary is now open.”

The 83-year-old boat was found on fire at Sprotbrough Lock last summer, with the fire causing extensive damage to the vessel.

At the time, skipper Tom Waddoups said the damage caused was "soul-destroying" but he wanted to see "her sail again".

"To be honest, it didn't really sink in until I saw it," he said.

"It's not a monetary thing for us, it's something we've put a huge amount of work into."

It was built in 1938 as a railway passenger ferry but was requisitioned by the Royal Navy on the outbreak of World War Two in 1939.

It was then brought to Doncaster in 1978 where it was transformed into a party boat, sailing up and down the River Don and hosting a number of social events and celebrations for thousands of people.