A Lowestoft trawler is looking forward to a major facelift after the first phase of a �400,000 restoration project started yesterday.

The Mincarlo, which was built by Brooke Marine in 1961, was towed from her home on Heritage Quay to the Laundry Lane slipway on Lake Lothing.

At her temporary new home marine engineering firm Small & Co will give the vessel some much needed TLC after being exposed to the elements and the North Sea.

Workmen will paint the Mincarlo, replace metal work and work on her interior.

During the next two weeks Small will also carry out a survey to see what needs to be done to bring the trawler back to her former glory.

The survey will let the boat's owners, the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Trust, know exactly how much it will cost to fully restore her and enable her to take people out to sea.

Restoration plans also include creating a new look museum space so visitors can understand the importance of keeping the Mincarlo afloat and seaworthy.

The Mincarlo served as a trawler for 13 years as part of Lowestoft's 60 strong-fishing fleet before becoming a rig standby vessel.

She is being surveyed and given a fresh lick of paint only a few hundred yards from where she was built by Brooke Marine. It is estimated the restoration work will cost the trust �400,000 and when the Mincarlo returns to Heritage Quay in two week's time it will see the start of a major fund-raising drive.

Once the restoration is completed she will be able to take pride of place next to her 'sister' the Lydia Eva, the world's last steam powered herring drifter which was subject to a �850,000 restoration since 2007.

Dona Watson, of the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Trust, said: 'For the next two week's the Minclaro will get some TLC and a bit of comestic work.

'It wil give a starting point for the restoration work and is a very important first stage of getting her back out to sea.'

Trevor Bellis, Small's dock manger who is overseeing the work, said: 'It is good to work on the Mincarlo as she was built and worked in Lowestoft and is part of its history.'

When the Mincarlo returns to Heritage Quay she will be open to the public until October.

Anyone who wants to support the �400,000 restoration project or become a volunteer for the Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Trust can call 0790 1915390 or email enquiries@lydiaeva.org

anthony carroll@archant.co.uk