A NORFOLKLINE ferry, the Dawn Merchant, collided with the harbour wall at Dover this morning.

The ship was not holed but a fire hydrant was fractured resulting in a large volume of water escaping. The ship's pumps were used to get rid of the water, and a fire crew was also called in to help.

One eye-witness who was on the cliffs above the port, said the ship suddenly seemed to swing round, possibly through a loss of power. Passengers were transferred to another ferry. No one was hurt.