THE only surviving war boat of its kind will go on public display at Bridgwater Docks after being lovingly restored by an enthusiast.

Paul Childs, from Bridgwater, said restoring the 72ft 1941 Motor Torpedo Boat 219 had cost in the region of £60,000 and the project had been a battle itself to secure funds.

Mr Childs and his organisation, Militaryboats.org, first raised £8,000 to buy the boat, which was being used as a houseboat in Chelsea, but its hull had been condemned, meaning it had to be removed.

The boat has since been transported to Bridgwater where the ship’s hull and deck are now being carefully restored in a temporary ‘berth’ at Durleigh Design on Symons Way.

Paul and his family will now use £2,500, recently secured from Sedgemoor District Council, to build the wheelhouse and replica torpedo tubes and assist with moving the boat to water.

The boat, used by the Royal Navy Coastal Forces to protect supply convoy during the Second World War, will then be painted by Sea Scouts in the run up to Christmas.

“It is then hoped she can be floated along the Docks as a public attraction for a few months until she joins Paul’s floating museum in Wachet.

In February 1942 she was part of an attack on the ‘Channel Dash’ German battle cruisers, Scharnhorst, Gneisneau and Prinz Eugen, as they sneaked through the English Channel to avoid the bombing in Brest.

Paul and his wife, Rhian, have also bought and restored the Vospers-built Fast Patrol Boat P 1041 Gay Archer, acquiring the vessel for just £1 but then sold their house and possessions to fund her restoration.

Paul said: “The MTB 219 is the only one of her kind left and I wanted to save her to become a living floating history.

“When she’s at Bridgwater, maybe near the quayside at Dunball, I plan to open her up to the public. We can set up tables and chairs and make an event of it.

“We have had a lot of help from people who are pleased to see her and can appreciate what I’m doing. And I’ve been approached by a lady in Bridgwater whose father actually served on her.

“It has been hard to raise the cash but we are getting there slowly.”

Paul also hopes to have a display with photographs at Blake Museum which will explain the boat’s exploits during the war to really bring its history alive.

To get involved, you can contact Paul on 01278-429233.