FANS of the Newport Ship are to get the chance to see for themselves the pioneering work being carried out to restore the 15th century vessel.

Newport city council will hold three open days to allow the public to see and learn more about the restoration project and the history of the ship.

The painstaking work is set to take between ten and fifteen years to complete before the ship will finally go on display in a purpose-built gallery in the Riverfront Centre.

The Ship team is now using digital technology to record the 1,700 timbers which make up the ship. It is the first archaeological project in the UK to use this type of technology.

Open day visitors will be able to see the recording in action and talk to the people doing the work at the restoration centre in Maesglas.

The Friends of the Ship will be tour guides.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of the city council, said: "We welcome the opportunity to let people see first hand the excellent restoration work that is being undertaken and to appreciate the scale of the project being carried out by Newport city council.

"However, it remains the council's view that the ship is a find of national and international significance and that the long term funding of the restoration project should be on a national or international scale."

A £3.5 million grant from the National Assembly, which was given to the council shortly after the ship's discovery during the construction of the Riverfront in 2002, is due to run out shortly.

The city council is currently seeking external funding to finance the long-term project.

The council has recently submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to cover the next stage of work on the ship, with an decision expected in December 2005.

The first open day takes place on June 11 with the other open days on July 3 and September 11.

The workshop will be open from 11am to 4pm at Unit 22, Maesglas Industrial Estate, Newport. For more information contact 01633 656656.