A historic ferry service between Glasgow and Renfrew that dates back 500 years has been saved after a company took over the route.

The Renfrew Ferry route across the River Clyde will now be operated by Silvers Marine.

The company's smaller vessel will carry up to 12 people, replacing the two 50-passenger ferries currently in operation.

In January the service faced the axe after operators Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said they had to save around £2.5million because of a budget shortfall.

But SPT said a five-year lease had now been agreed following a meeting on Friday. The Argyll-based company will operate a service under the name Clydelink.

SPT chair Jonathan Findlay said: "There was a range of interest from the commercial sector but we believe Silvers Marine will provide the best service - utilising SPT's slipways - and without any subsidy from the public purse."

The Renfrew to Yoker route provided more than 140,000 passenger journeys a year. SPT's service stops on March 31 and a date has yet to be announced for the start of the new service.

Mark Aikman, managing director of Silvers Marine, said: "We would like to assure ferry users that we will continue to provide them with a reliable service that will take over the route seamlessly.

"This historic crossing has provided an important link to communities on both sides of the Clyde for a very long time. We will also be led by consumer demand when considering extension of the service in the future."