THE Viking Ship at Pegwell Bay, one of Thanet’s most distinctive landmarks, was today hoisted from its cradle by crane.

The Hugin was taken by low loader by road to the Tommi Neilsen and Co shipyard in Gloucester for major repair and refurbishment works. About 100 people turned out today to see the ship safely on her way to the West Country.

When work is completed, it is hoped it will become one of the centrepieces of a visitor attraction and education centre that may be created to celebrate the coastal environment and nature trail at Pegwell.

The full sized replica longship was built in Denmark to commemorate the 1500th anniversary of the voyage of Hengist and Horsa. It was rowed to England in 1948 and landed at Viking Bay, Broadstairs, before being put on public display on the clifftops between Ramsgate and Sandwich.

Cllr John Kirby, Thanet council cabinet member for planning, is ward councillor for the Pegwell area. He said: “People have fought long and hard to get this important part of Thanet’s history upgraded and improved. At long last work is under way.

“It is the type of landmark that other areas would jealously covet, and we have even had to ward off attempts for it to be relocated at Ramsgate and Broadstairs.”

He confirmed that the council has held talks with the National Trust about establishing a visitor education centre on the former hoverport site next to the Viking Ship.

He said: “An environmental survey is being carried out to see if the land is suitable or if it was contaminated during the hovercraft operation. The survey is being jointly funded by the National Trust and the council and will cost £10,000 each.

“If we get the all clear we can hold further talks about a joint venture with NT for the centre.”

Restoration work will be paid for by Thanet council with additional money from European Interreg funding. It is hoped the craft will return by next summer.