The half-size replica of Dover's Bronze Age boat has been successfully launched, at the second attempt.

In May last year the boat started sinking when it was lowered into the water by a hoist at the Granville Dock.

But those behind the project admitted the work had been done in a hurry, and not enough time had been given to making it waterproof.

Now, the job has been completed and tests had been carried out at Faversham Creek to ensure that it would float.

This morning, it was gently lowered into the water at the Granville Dock in Dover, and this time, it stayed afloat.

Phil Harding from the Time Team television programme was among the crew who rowed the boat from Dover Marina out of the dock, around the Prince of Wales Pier - where conditions were quite choppy - and into Dover Harbour.

Other members of the crew included those who had helped build the boat, and Dr Paul Bennett and Peter Clark from the Canterbury Archaeological Trust.

Some water had to be bailed out, but there were ready supplies of bees wax on hand to fill in any holes - some of the crew were chewing it to keep it pliable!

The Port of Dover, a long-standing trustee of the Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust, provided the facilities for the launch, including the hoist which lowered it into the water.

Port chief executive Tim Waggott said: "This has been a fascinating project and, as a trustee of the real Bronze Age boat, we recognise the incredible maritime heritage that our Port and our community has, stretching back thousands of years."

Full report and photos will appear in the Dover Mercury next Thursday, September 12.