A 102-YEAR-old barge which has been left to rot in Benfleet Creek could one day sail again.

The Scone is currently languishing in the mud after being abandoned by its owner, but barge enthusiast Peter Lynam, from Leigh, is determined to raise up to £150,000 to put her right.

Mr Lynam said: "In 2000, she was sold for £98,000 and moved down to Benfleet Creek, but she sprung a hole and was later sold on Ebay for £3,000. The bloke came and looked at her and hasn't been seen since.

"I am trying to get some sort of interest in her so she can be restored. We need to raise money and find someone who has a large bilge pump so we can get her out of the water.

"I would like to get her back into sailing condition, but it needs a lot of money. There is a chance we could get a lottery grant, as a similar project in Maldon got funding."

Published Tuesday, February 7, 2006