A BOAT that was once used as a floating restaurant is leaving its North-East home for a new destination.

The former floating restaurant MV Ella is being moved from its berth at Hartlepool Marina.

The boat has been in the marina for around eight years, and was first used for selling Sunday lunches and afternoon teas.

It later became used as a Tapas bar and an Italian restaurant.

The boat is currently awaiting for a tug vessel to arrive from Kent, which will take the ‘restaurant’ to a new destination.

Despite blustery weather conditions, the operation to remove the boat was carried out successfully yesterday morning.

Although its new destination unknown, Allen Henderson, who works at Hartlepool Marina, said the boat was “heading south”.

“It has been up for a sale for a good while now, but a sale was finally agreed a few weeks ago” said Mr Henderson.

“There were some extremely adverse weather conditions but the marina staff and birth holders all helped to make the process of moving the vessel a success,” added Mr Henderson.

The boat is expected to leave Hartlepool on Saturday.

The boat was previously taken over by TV comedy Benidorm star Crissy Rock, who hoped to turn it into a “traditional” menu restaurant.