£11.75m for Cutty Sark

9:43am Tuesday 26th September 2006

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AN OLYMPIC rower was on board the Cutty Sark to celebrate the news its £25m conservation scheme has been given the go-ahead.

Gold medalist James Cracknell was among the celebrities, including X Factor star Chico, who joined the National Lottery Day celebrations on the 19th-century vessel on Saturday.

See more pictures of the Lottery Day celebrations in our gallery - click here

National Lottery Day is held to thank lottery players, who have raised £19bn for good causes over the past 12 years.

The day was made extra special after the Heritage Lottery Fund announced it would give an £11.75m grant to the Cutty Sark Trust towards its major conservation programme.

Trust chief executive Richard Doughty and Heritage Lottery Fund director Carole Souter hoisted a National Lottery Day flag on the ship as part of the celebrations.

Greenwich mayor Councillor Harpinder Singh was also at the ship in King William Walk, Greenwich, to show the council's support.

In January last year, the Heritage Lottery Fund agreed to award the trust £11.75m on condition it could match-fund the amount by September 22.

There were fears the project was at risk or would be delayed after Mr Doughty revealed in the summer there was still a £3m shortfall in the money needed.

Now the trust has managed to narrow the gap to £2m and the Heritage Lottery Fund has agreed to go ahead with the project.

Mr Doughty says he is confident the trust will be able to meet the shortfall over time.

He said: "Given the success we have had with the fundraising over the 18 months from major donors, we will be able to close the funding gap over the lifetime of the project.

"I'm thrilled the Heritage Lottery Fund has committed to giving us £11.75m for the next stage of the project.

"It's very good news. It's a lifeline for the ship.

"We are about to embark on one of the most dramatic re-presentations of an international icon ever attempted.

"Our purpose quite simply is to secure the future of the ship and to give visitors a truly awe-inspiring experience."

The ship will be dismantled plank by plank and a new structural support will raise it up in its dry berth to allow visitors to walk underneath it.

The project is due to start in November and will last two years.

A temporary exhibition will open in Easter next year. It will be next to the Cutty Sark and visitors will be able to learn about conservation techniques and the plans for the ship.

Mr Doughty added: "There will be a major drive to recruit people to help with the project, which is very exciting."

Ms Souter said: "The Cutty Sark is an amazing testament to our maritime heritage and one which must be protected for another century's worth of enjoyment.

"It's one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions and once fully restored will be able to welcome even more people, who will learn all about its fascinating history.

"We were delighted to make this announcement on National Lottery Day, which highlights the huge impact Lottery funding has had across the UK."