A CHAPTER in Portland's history closes today as Europe's only prison ship locks its gates for the last time.

But despite the outcry when the vessel first arrived eight years ago there has been little controversy over closure. None of the 250 The HMP Weare staff has ended up out of work.

Acting jail governor Kevin Lewis said the majority of staff had relocated to other prisons although a few had found other jobs locally.

"No one has been made redundant," he said."I think the staff are sorry to leave here - mainly because people form relationships and it's difficult to move somewhere else.

"I think they have enjoyed working here. There has been a good relationship with prisoners and the staff have done a good job in difficult conditions."

During its working life the prison held 400 prisoners but Mr Lewis said only 60 inmates had been moved to other prisons.

He continued: "In July we stopped taking prisoners and many of the prisoners have just finished their sentences."

The last four inmates were moved on Tuesday. The Weare originally held men over 25 serving the last nine months of their sentence and the average stay was 10 weeks.

South Dorset MP Jim Knight said of the closure: "The concerns I had eight years ago about Portland having a prison ship seem not to have materialised with any significance.

"It provided employment in the meantime but it was never going to be a permanent solution. Also, the inmates enjoyed being on board and the staff found it a reasonable working environment.

"The reason I say the inmates liked it is that they didn't have to work because there was not enough room.

"Prisoners should work and make efforts to rehabilitate - so reducing the chance of re-offending. That was not possible at The Weare."

Island Mayor Tim Woodcock said: "You could say it's the end of an era.

"When it came here in 1997 it was only supposed to be here for three years.

"When the ship arrived there were a lot of people saying they didn't want it because it would increase the prison population.

"Then when it arrived all the T-shirts came out saying it was a tourist attraction.I'd say it has blended into the port but I wouldn't be able to say whether I was either sad or glad to see it go.

He added: "I do feel for anyone whose employment has suffered or has had to move out of the area as a result of the closure."

The Prison Service has estimated the jail was worth £5 million to Portland's economy.

But president of Weymouth Chamber of Commerce David Beaman does not believe the effect will be significant.

He said: "I understand all those who were employed there are to be given jobs outside of Weymouth and Portland. But that does mean they are not about to spend their money locally."

He said any effect could be countered if the ship were turned into a tourist attraction. Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's management committee chairman Coun Brian Ellis said: "I don't think it closing will have any serious impact on the local economy.

"The good thing is that the staff will retain their jobs within the Prison Service. Since 1997 our economy has become a lot more buoyant."

Don Wood, national executive member for the Prison Officers' Association, said: "There's mixed feelings among staff.

"Obviously some started their careers there and feel sad. Others are quite happy to be moving on. They knew it was only temporary."

He added: "I think we should be careful about being too nostalgic. It did have very limited facilities for both the staff and prisoners."