This is why the rides have been removed from Clarence Pier's funfair

The Solent Wheel and Skyways rollercoaster have disappeared from Clarence Pier '“ but the Ferris wheel will be back in time for when the funfair reopens in March.

It has been sent away for use at a Christmas fair in Ireland, while many of the other rides at the funfair have been removed for maintenance.

The Skyways rollercoaster was being dismantled during the summer, it has now gone and will be back in 2020 once it has been refurbished.

In May Portsmouth City Council planners removed a condition preventing the Ferris wheel from being used between October 1 and March 20. Natural England had said the 110ft attraction could be a risk to migrating Brent geese.

But the pier's owner Jill Norman, although delighted at the news, said for the past 70 years years the pier has traditionally shut between October and March anyway.

She said: '˜The rides are maintained every year.

'˜The Solent Wheel has been sent to Ireland for a Christmas fair.

'It will be back in time for when we reopen in March.'