Local councillors have been informed that a long-time project by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society to restore an historic Tenby lugger is still being planned.

A letter from Rev. David Reed of the Society was received by members of Tenby Town Council at their meeting on Tuesday night, to update them on progress of the project.

"After spending considerable time in finding a viable way forward, a task not helped by the current economic situation, and through close consultation with the Heritage Lottery Fund, the society is now in a position to make a bid for financial support from their 'Your Heritage Fund' to restore Margaret (the lugger)" wrote Rev. Reed.

"Unfortunately, funding for a two-year lease of local premises by the society for a professional boat builder to carry out the work alongside a training programme for the project has proved impossible in the way that we had hoped, but the Heritage Lottery Fund is prepared to consider a less ambitious shorter scheme, and in view of the importance of the vessel as an artefact, to support restoration to sailing condition, with the boat builder working in his own premises.

"The boat builder would employ a trainee, while ancillary support would be organised by the society in recording the progress of the project and providing wider educational involvement so that the project is still very much identifying the vessel in its home territory," he continued.

Deputy Mayor, Clr. Caroline Thomas, suggested that the town council write a letter of support back to the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society to tell them that the council was still in favour of the project and that councillors continued to wish them success with its progress.