A STUNNING Tall Ship is set to sail into Greenock for the latest phase of her £1.5 million makeover.

The Glenlee will glide into Garvel dry dock next week, marking her first venture to Inverclyde in over a decade.

Her three-week stay in the town is part of a massive refurbishment project launched by Clyde Maritime Trust to restore her to her former glory.

The Glenlee’s hull will be cleaned, blasted and ultrasonically tested and the rear deckhouse will be re-sized to make it more in keeping with the original design. The impressive vessel first visited Garvel in 1993 for restoration when she was brought back from Spain, then returned in 1999 for further repairs.

The ship is the only remaining Clyde-built sailing vessel afloat in the UK and officially became an accredited museum in 2008.

Her refurbishment comes in time for a move to the new Riverside Museum, on the banks of the Clyde, which is due to open in spring next year.

Frank Brown, the chairman of the Clyde Maritime Centre, said: “This is the Glenlee’s first return to Garvel dry dock since her restoration in 1999 and it is an exciting time, as this move has been three years in the planning.

“The work carried out at Garvel will fit the Glenlee for her thrilling new chapter at Riverside.” The Glenlee will leave her current home in Yorkhill Quay, Glasgow, at noon on Wednesday 18 August and make her way down the Clyde, passing the Riverside Museum, Braehead, Dumbarton and Erskine Bridge, before reaching Greenock at around 6pm the same day.

Tele readers are being asked to help dress the Glenlee as she prepares for her final journey to the Riverside Museum.

As part of her refurbishment the ship will don new flags - sponsored by local people.

Readers and ship enthusiasts can see their own flag fly aboard the impressive vessel for a donation of £50.

In return, they will receive an individually-numbered souvenir flag certificate, and their names will be featured on a new permanent display on board the ship.

It’s the perfect gift for anyone with a special connection to the boat’s history.

For more information on the Glenlee Flag Appeal, contact David Cowan on 0141 222 2513 or visit www.glenlee.co.uk