The owners of a 65-year-old paddle steamer say they will hold an independent inquiry into how the operation to lift the historical vessel out of the water went wrong.

The 191-foot vessel slid back into Loch Lomond last Thursday during an operation to haul her on to the slipway for a survey, as part of a £1 million refurbishment.

Supports for the 555-tonne vessel are believed to have snapped as the historic ship was being winched on to the slipway at Balloch Pier.

Pictures from the scene showed broken wooden planks beneath the ship before it slipped back into Loch Lomond.

No one was injured during the incident, although one volunteer had to be pulled out of the water.

John Beveridge, the chairman of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC), the charity which owns the Maid, said shortly after the incident that a probe would be carried out to find out how the incident happened.

But the charity now says it is to conduct an independent inquiry to establish the full circumstances of what it's describing as a "setback" in the Maid's restoration.

In a series of messages posted on Twitter, the company said: "The board of LLSC would like to thank everyone for the incredible support shown over the past few days.

"We have been inundated with messages and are overwhelmed with the kindness shown.

"We know you are all keen to find out when we will attempt to slip the ship again and please know this sits high on our agenda.

"We have however decided to conduct an independent inquiry into the incident on Thursday, and this will take some time.

"We will keep you all posted of how this goes and of course update when we know more.

"In the meantime, there is a huge amount going on that we (and you all!) have to look forward to."

They added: "Yes, Thursday was disappointing and is a setback, but we have had many setbacks over the years and these only make us stronger.

"It’s only three months until we open again for the season so it’s ‘full steam ahead’ to get the ship ready for visitors.

"We have some great shots and video of the ship before Thursday’s setback which we will share over the coming weeks.

"This was no mean feat and although disappointed with the outcome, it was such a joy to watch her move from her berth at the pier.

"Thank you everyone."

Built by A. & J. Inglis in Glasgow, the steamer has laid out of service on the banks of Loch Lomond in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire since 1981.

Work commenced before the new year in preparation for the complicated manoeuvre, with The Maid being emptied of all furniture and fittings.

The campaign to restore the Maid and return her to a fully operational steamship was last month boosted after a £950,000 capital grant was awarded by the Scottish Government.

An additional £50,000 was donated from the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society, taking the restoration fund to £1 million.