A 123-year-old Norfolk wherry was slowly lifted completely out of the water on Monday for the first time since it was taken on by the Norfolk Wherry Trust in 1949.

It was for the Albion's winter maintenance, which will see the tar that has traditionally protected her hull removed and replaced by a bitumen paint formulation. In previous years, the Albion has been drawn up the slipway.

Eastern Daily Press: The wherry will now undergo its winter maintenance.The wherry will now undergo its winter maintenance. (Image: Norfolk Wherry Trust)

Known as the 'black-sailed trader', the Albion is one of just two remaining commercial wherries built specifically for the Broads.

Trevor Hipperson, of the archive team at the Norfolk Wherry Trust, said: "Today was a historic day for the Norfolk Wherry Trust’s Albion as for the first time in the trust's ownership Albion was lifted out of the water for her winter maintenance. In previous years she has been drawn up a slipway.

"There were some concerns as to the unknown nature of a lift but there was no need to worry as Eric Bishop and his team at Cox’s Boatyard at Barton Turf made it all look so easy."

Eastern Daily Press: The Albion wherry will now undergo its winter maintenance.The Albion wherry will now undergo its winter maintenance. (Image: Norfolk Wherry Trust)

Eastern Daily Press: The Albion wherry is 123 years old.The Albion wherry is 123 years old. (Image: Norfolk Wherry Trust)

Eastern Daily Press: It was the first time in the trust's ownership of the wherry that it was lifted from the water, having usually been drawn up a slipway.It was the first time in the trust's ownership of the wherry that it was lifted from the water, having usually been drawn up a slipway. (Image: Norfolk Wherry Trust)

Eastern Daily Press: The boat was lifted out of the water.The boat was lifted out of the water. (Image: Norfolk Wherry Trust)