A RETIRED couple are hoping to cruise into their sunset years after setting up a tourism business to fund their boating habit.

Carolyn and Anthony Ward, both 62, from Acaster Malbis, have bought a 37ft twin diesel motor cruiser, called the Royal Blue Sea, to provide trips from Acaster Malbis to York.

It will give tourists a different approach to the city on the River Ouse, passing Bishopthorpe Palace, home to the Archbishop of York, and the Millennium Bridge.

The boat will carry no more than 12 people, and the business will run tours, including a cruise-and-dine package with food.

The business, named Pink Moon Cruises after their previous boat Luna Rosa, in which the couple cruised around Spain, will operate from the Ship Inn, in Acaster Malbis.

The Ship Inn will also provide the catering for the events, and Mrs Ward said she wanted to work with other local firms.

She said: “We live in the village, so we are also promoting our own village.”

Mrs Ward decided to set up the business after the couple returned from Spain and needed some extra money to fund their passion for boating.

“We have been boating since 1986, when we had a 22ft outboard motor river cruiser in which we fitted two children and a dog,” she said.

The former personal assistant tried to get back into work, but to no avail, despite being skilled at design.

She said: “It won’t be a big business, but enough to subsidise our passion for boating.”

Pink Moon Cruises will officially launch on April 1, when the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Sue Galloway, and the civic party will take the tour.