'ROYAL' LADY TREATED TO ELEGANT REVAMP

A yacht believed to have been sailed by Prince Charles when he was at school, is undergoing a refit in South Devon.

Sea Spirit, which was used by Gordonstoun School as a training ship, is undergoing work at Galmpton Boat Yard in a joint project by Dart Boat Repairsand Nautical Shipping. Sea Spirit, a 65ft yacht, was originally built in a Dutch yard, Geb van Dam, in 1967.

It is believed she was given to the school by one of the parents at the time as a gift and sailed by Prince Charles.

She is now being rebuilt in a project which will include stretching her by almost 10ft to make her look more elegant and adding new decks, a cabin and bulkhead. Once this work has been carried out, painting work will then finish her off.

Burt Thomsen, of Nautical Shipping, said: "She's not a very pretty boat at the moment. When the work is finished, she'll have much better lines and look much better. It's cosmetic work.

"It's very exciting working on a boat with such a heritage. It's not often I manage to get my hands on a boat with such class."

And Mike Lyness, of Dart Boat Repairs, added: "It is a good feeling working on such a stylish vessel. She is a special boat, there's not too many around like her."

Work is due to be completed by the end of June