A £3.75 million Heritage Lottery Fund bid has been submitted to secure the future of the excursion ship MV Balmoral, a favourite on the North Wales coast.

The ship, which is often seen cruising from Llandudno, Menai Bridge and around Anglesey, requires hull repairs and improvements to her crew quarters.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will not issue an passenger certificate until the work has been completed.

Balmoral is owned by a charity, the MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, which has stated it does not have the resources to carry out the repairs and as a result has launched the Lottery bid. A spokesperson for the charity said: "We do not have the funds to undertake this work in time for the 2018 season, and until Lottery funding becomes available, hopefully later next year, the work cannot be put in hand. MV Balmoral will therefore unfortunately not be able to sail in 2018."

In addition to the Lottery bid the charity is also making a public appeal for donations which can be made through its website www.mvbalmoral.org.uk or cheques, made out to MV BalmoraL Fund Ltd, can be sent to 23 Adder Hill, Great Boughton, CHESTER CH3 5RA.