Nearly 20 years after the original Bronze Age boat was discovered in Dover, a replica is being launched today.

A team of specialist archaeologists have been working on the half-size replica of the boat on the Roman lawn next to Dover Discovery Centre for the past three months, using old skills and tools.

The launch ceremony will start at 1pm, with the launch due to take place at 2pm.

The project, called Boat 1550 BC, has been supported by the European Union and brought together seven partners from France, Britain and Belgium who will watch it going into the sea for the first time at Dover beach.

The original boat, (above) which is now on display in a special gallery at Dover Museum, was discovered in 1992 during work to build the new A20 through the town. It was near the subway at Townwall Street.

After today’s launch the boat will be taken to France, where it will form the centrepiece of a major multilingual, international exhibition.

It will then go on to Belgium in December before returning to Dover on July 1, 2013.