AN offshore radio station is hosting a fundraising party to help repair the ship it used to broadcast on.

Radio Caroline needs thousands of pounds to repair MV Ross Revenge, which is the last remaining offshore pirate radio in the world.

In the early Nineties it lost its anchor and drifted out onto Goodwin Sands when the chain broke, causing considerable damage to the ship’s rudder and steering gear.

On Saturday, August 13, the voluntary committee will host its ‘Keep the Dream Alive’ Party, at the MICA Centre, in West Mersea High Street.

From 2pm until 11pm there will be food and drink vendors, merchandise stalls, live music and a raffle.

The grand prize is a break for up to six people at Coopers Beach Holiday Park, in East Mersea, which was kindly donated.

One of the highlights is a live broadcast of Radio Caroline’s Flashback show from Ross Revenge until 7pm.

Starting at 9am, regular boat trips will run from Coast Road to see the ship moored on the River Blackwater.

Albert Hood, 77, from Clacton, who has been a volunteer for 39 years, said: “The purpose of the event is to bring Caroline people together, old and new, but to raise as much money as we can because the ship is worth saving.

“It’s the only ship to be led off the Goodwin Sands and be saved.

“It spent a few years at Dover Harbour where it was detained. The authorities said they had never seen a ship in such a bad state.

“It’s also likely to be the only radio ship in the world, which exists with all the same equipment on board as she did in the Eighties and has fishing records dating back to the Seventies.”

Tickets for the event can be bought online or from the MICA Centre on the day. Adults cost £3 and under 15s are free.

Mr Hood added: “To raise thousands of pounds would be ace. It would see lots of things done we can’t do at the moment such as putting the ship in a dry dock.

“We also need new blood on board our volunteer committee and for youngsters to get involved as engineers to use their skills.”

Visit radiocaroline.co.uk or call Albert Hood on 07984 572 353 for more information.