AN ancient relic of a long-gone industry is to be saved for future generations - thanks to experts in North Yorkshire.

A survivor of the late medieval salt production industry, the salt ship is to be preserved by experts from the York Archaeological Trust.

The 7.5m hollowed-out tree trunk, once used to store brine, was found during excavations on a development site in Nantwich, Cheshire and is the best-preserved example ever found.

It has arrived at the York Archaeological Wood Centre, in three sections weighing up to half a tonne each, for a three-year programme of treatment.

Head of conservation Jim Spriggs said: "The oak wood is so well preserved that it will take at least two years of immersion in tanks to get the synthetic polymers we use in wood preservation to penetrate.

"Then it will take several months to freeze-dry the sections to remove the remaining water - but despite the wait the final result should look excellent."

The Heritage Lottery Fund has provided £104,000 of funding for the ship's preservation and once the work is completed, one section will go on display in an exhibition at Nantwich Museum.

Published: 04/05/2004