MYSTERY surrounds the future of the river boat cruises, once a regular fixture on the River Severn.

The Severn Traveller and Pride of the Midlands party cruises have not been seen on river for the past year.

Steve Grady contacted the Worcester News to point out that the two boats, run by Worcester River Cruises, and a fixture on the river Severn for decades were missing.

In a Facebook post questioning where the party cruises had gone, Dan Russell said: “I am the owner of the pride of the Worcester River Cruises.

“The Severn Traveller is now a house boat currently moored at a boatyard call Sirius Marine just outside Stourport and I believe she will be moving down to London once the boat has been completed.

“As for the Pride it’s with great regret she will be heading south on the Gloucester and Sharpness canal and will be turned into a house boat also.

“I am glad that you have good memories of the boats but due to the state of the river getting shallow we were finding it difficult to navigate.

“We are sat on the river bed most of the time and it causes damage to the boat.”

Chris Wise, of the Cafe Severn, Grand Stand Road, next to the riverside, told us that he had not seen either party boats on the river for at least a year.

He said it was a big shame as the cruises from Stourport had stopped a few years ago - which could lead to the end of party cruise boats in Worcester.

The party boats were well known in the city and often used for parties and functions.

A spokesman for the Canal and River Trust ,which maintains the river, told us that to run party cruise boats organisers have to have a yearly licence with them.

But the spokesman said he could not reveal whether Worcester River Cruises still had a licence to operate on the river Severn.

Worcester River Cruises website appears to no longer be in use and the Facebook site has only rarely posted in the past year. The phone numbers given for group no longer work.

Mr Russell was unavailable for comment.

Worcester Boat Trips, which offers 45 minute cruises using the Earl boat, still runs daily on the river, departing from South Quay.

Do you remember the party cruises? Email your memories and pictures to sgr@worcesternews.co.uk