Work is well underway on restoring the replica of the Deliverance in St. George's, and should be completed by the end of February.

The wooden sailing vessel is a copy of the one built by survivors of the Sea Venture shipwreck, which sailed from Bermuda to Virginia in 1610.

Built in 1967 by the Bermuda Junior Service League, it has long been a tourist attraction on Ordnance Island. However, it became increasingly dilapidated and dangerous in recent years.

The replica is now being restored in time for Bermuda's 400th anniversary celebrations, thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation.

Henry Hayward, a former chairman of the St. George's Foundation who is responsible for the project, said: "It's progressing on schedule and beginning to take shape, and certainly when it comes to the celebrations on July 28 it will be an icon which everyone in the square will see."

Once work is completed, the Deliverance will be open to the public on special occasions and also available for hire.