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A cruise line is offering refunds to 1,400 customers after cancelling a fortnight's Christmas holiday in the Canary Islands with two days' notice.

Ambience was due to depart from the Port of Tilbury in Essex on Wednesday. It was the second trip on board the ship to be cancelled within two days because of an issue with the lifeboat station.

Ambassador Cruise Line has apologised to guests.

A spokeswoman said: "It is never an easy decision to cancel any itinerary, particularly at this time of year. However, the health and safety of all our guests, staff and crew is paramount."

´óÏó´«Ã½ Essex speaks to Michael Parker and Sabrina Lynott-May who had their plans cancelled, as well as Jay Cannon from the Youtube channel 'Sail Away with Dan and Jay', who sailed on Ambassador in May.

A statement from Ambassador Cruise Lines says they have "reluctantly cancelled its 15-night Christmas and New Year Canary Islands cruise, which is due to depart London Tilbury on Wednesday 21st December.

"It is never an easy decision to cancel any itinerary, particularly at this time of year, and we would like to apologise to all those guests that were due to sail with us for this cancellation and any inconvenience this may cause.

"However, the health and safety of all our guests, staff and crew is paramount, and following the identification yesterday of an issue with the lifeboat station on board our ship, Ambience, Ambassador has chosen to immediately perform repairs and post-repair tests as a precautionary measure. Regrettably, these works will not be concluded in time to operate the Christmas and New Year Canary Islands itinerary.

"Ambassador has circa 1,400 guests onboard for this cruise. We are communicating transfer and compensation options to our guests, and any additional concerns they might have will be dealt with by Ambassador on a case-by-case basis in the days to come."

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