After a five-year campaign Maldon's historic 102 year-old barge, Dawn, has been brought home.

Now a £250,000 appeal is under way to restore Dawn to her former glory.

"We've brought her back to Maldon for Maldoners," said Captain Gordon Swift.

"So Maldon shipwrights can work on her and the people of Maldon can benefit."

The Dawn was built at Walter Cook and Arthur Woodards Bath Wall Yard in 1897. Mr Swift spent 30 years of his life as skipper of the barge.

Maldon District Council and Maldon Town Council released money to pay for the return of Dawn from Kent.

The vessel was sunk, then towed back last Thursday by A W Marine Services to Sadd's Quay where she is now awaiting restoration.

Trustees of the Dawn charitable trust will be meeting councillors next week to work out a strategy for the restoration.

Mr Swift hopes work will be completed in time for the millennium.

He said: "We are applying for lottery funding. Some firms have already helped us out, but we are looking for more sponsors.

"Dawn was the last "stackie" barge built with a tiller and we intend to put the tiller back on her, then open her to the public and run several token cargoes for the millennium.

"The other thing we want to do is have lift-out modules in order to be able to take disabled people on board."

Mr Swift said a film crew will be recording the restoration progress on the Dawn. A book is also planned.

Captain Gordon Swift is pictured with the barge, Dawn, as she arrived back at Maldon.

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