LEIGH'S Paints of Bolton supplied coatings to the freight ship Moondance at her recent dry-docking in Birkenhead.

Nearly 5,000 litres of paint were applied during a refit to underwater areas, topsides, the superstructure and vehicle decks.

The Moondance and her sister ship the Riverdance -- also coated with Leigh's paints -- are owned by Irish sea operator Seatruck Ferries, the roll on, roll off division of Crescent Shipping.

The company's freight-only service operates between England and Ireland on the Heysham to Warrenpoint route.

The Moondance is the first ship repair contract for North Western Shiprepairers, the company formed by ex-Cammell Laird senior executive John Syvret, whose recent bid for the liquidated Cammell Laird operation lost out to rival British ship repair group A&P.

David Buckle, Marine Director of Leigh's, said: "We were delighted to be

awarded this contract and are pleased to be working with two fellow North West-based companies with whom we are looking forward to developing relationships."