The Yorkshire Belle is licensed to operate between April and October, but for years has been granted an extension to enable it to operate at Easter.

This year Good Friday is on March 21 but skipper Peter Richardson had been told the Maritime Coastguard Agency would not grant them an extension.

He learned at the weekend the ban had been lifted. It followed a visit on Friday by Euro MP Edward McMillan-Scott who took up the matter with the MCA and wrote to marine minister Jim Fitzpatrick.

Mr Richardson, who raised the matter with the Passenger Boat Association, said the decision was a huge relief.

"Easter is a very important start to the season for us.

"It is a time when we have just had a great deal of expense on a winter overhaul and having the Yorkshire Belle in dry dock. Easter is the chance for us to earn back some of that money," he said.

A spokeswoman for the MCA said it had applied to the European Commission for an exemption but in the absence of a response and the fact that Easter was fast approaching, the MCA itself decided to grant the exemption.

However, the battle goes on to challenge the interpretation of new rules which seem to mean the Yorkshire Belle will not be able to operate its regular summer Friday trips to Scarborough and back.

Britain's civil servants say new Euro rules limit pleasure cruisers to journeys of no more than 15 miles from their point of departure.

Mr McMillan-Scott is continuing to argue the case on their behalf and has appealed to Brussels and the Secretary of State for Transport, Ruth Kelly to resolve the alleged mistake.

"There is still time for it to be sorted out before we start.

"The trips are extremely popular, particularly with local people who enjoy going to Scarborough and spending two or three hours ashore before coming back to Bridlington," said Mr Richardson.

Mr McMillan-Scott was in Bridlington during a whistle-stop tour of his constituency. He also met with fishermen who contacted him about their lobster potting grounds being trawled through and wrecked by French fishing boats.

Have you got something to get off your chest or someone to praise? You can send us a letter by e-mail at letters@bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk
You can also send a text starting BFPEDITOR followed by a space, your message, name and address, to 81800.

Have you got a problem you would like Linda to try to solve or do you know someone deserving of praise?
Maybe you have got an interesting picture you would like to share with readers or a funny story?
You can send Linda a letter by e-mail at linda.hulbert@yrnltd.co.uk
You can also send Linda a text starting BFPEDITOR followed by a space, your message, name and address, to 81800.

What do you think of this story?
Send a text starting BFPEDITOR followed by a space, your message, name and address, to 81800.
You can e-mail letters@bridlingtonfreepress.co.uk