SUPPORTERS of Britain's oldest warship afloat are celebrating after they received confirmation the ship will be bailed out and a grant awarded to finish its restoration.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded the HMS Trincomalee Trust a grant of up to £350,000 to complete the restoration of the 183-year-old ship, which arrived in Hartlepool to be restored more than a decade ago.

The news comes after a fortnight of intensive discussions between the HMS Trincomalee Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The grant will enable the trust to proceed with the completion of the restoration fitting-out works, access and other improvements to the ship and it is hoped that by the end of April next year, the project to save the ship will have been completed.

A spokesman for the trust said: "The trust acknowledges the very firm support and intervention by the major public bodies in Hartlepool and the region and by influential individuals. This has emphasised the need to finish the restoration programme in order for the ship to fully contribute to the renaissance of Hartlepool, the area and the North-East in general."

The restoration of HMS Trincomalee has been an immense task for the trust for more than ten years and the Heritage Lottery Fund has been an important source of funding during the main work and latter stages.

The spokesman said: "The decision is most important for this area, and we are pleased that the trustees of the Heritage Lottery Fund have responded so positively to our case."

However, there will be a small number of job losses, but the trust hopes to retain the nucleus of their team. They also hope to continue in their quest to provide a visitor centre for the ship.

The spokesman said: "The trust's objective of displaying this magnificent ship to best advantage for the future remains unchanged, but we will need continuing support to achieve this.