AN appeal has been launched to provide a new home for the Dean Heritage Centre's latest major acquisition, a unique stopnet fishing boat, believed to be one of only two remaining in perfect order.

The boat has been cared for and kept in top condition by the Environment Agency at Tewkesbury. It is being transferred to Soudley next month.

Neil Parkhouse, chairman of the Centre's trustees, described the boat as an important addition to the collection.

"We are looking to establish a good display of material relating to fishing and other Severn and Wye activities and we are grateful to have this opportunity to begin the collection with such an impressive craft," he said.

"Stoppers were once commonplace and fished in Wellhouse Bay near Blakeney, at Woolaston and in Beachley Bay and, of course, in the River Wye. They were constructed by skilled local craftsmen and made almost entirely from locally sourced material," he said.

Mr Parkhouse said it was hoped a second boat, once used for long netting, might also be acquired later in the year.

It is planned for both boats to be stored in a newly created wooden building.

"We are actively seeks ways to finance the total project. It could be financed by an individual donation or by multiple donations. Alternatively we would welcome offers of material and labour and in that way construct the building ourselves," he said.

•If you can help, contact Dean Heritage Centre manager Natalie Hall on Dean 822170.