WHILE the credit crunch is knocking the stuffing out of businesses up and down the country this Christmas, one company on Suffolk's coast is bucking the trend.

WHILE the credit crunch is knocking the stuffing out of businesses up and down the country this Christmas, one company on Suffolk's coast is bucking the trend.

The Felixstowe Ferry Boat Yard has a full order book - and enough work to keep it going until next August.

The yard at the picture-postcard fishing hamlet at the mouth of the River Deben has built up a strong reputation for its work - boat building, refits and repairs - over the past 43 years.

Owner Andrew Moore said: “We are very lucky because we have plenty of work at the moment.

“I know one or two yards which don't have much on, but we have two boats in the workshop and three more outside ready to come in. We have enough definitely until next August.

“We have been here a while and a lot of the work comes by word of mouth. It is important that yards do stay open though because otherwise we shall lose these skills in the future.”

Earlier this year, after three years of hard graft, the yard celebrated making its largest vessel - a 46 ton steel pontoon to help maintain the Deben's waterways and moorings.

The Multi Cat, which cost £200,000 and has 430 horsepower, was also fitted with a crane at the front capable of lifting ten tons and a winch that can lift 30 tons.

It will also be used at various marinas and for dredging.

Mr Moore took over the boat yard, which also offers marine services such as chandlery, mooring, ferry and brokering, in 2001. His father Trevor Moore had been a director of the previous owners.