A LANDLOCKED but landmark boat in Thurrock has been given a new lease of life thanks to the work of volunteers.

Purfleet-on-Thames Community Forum have been very busy over the past couple of weeks painting the boat sculpture on Stonehouse Roundabout which they funded and installed 10 years ago.

The boat was originally installed with the help and support of the now defunct Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation as the roundabout was seen as the gateway to a new town and stressed Purfleet's link with the River Thames.

It would be fair to say the intervening years had taken toll on the boat but now it's been restored to a new glory to mark the changing of Purfleet's name with the addition of 'on-Thames'.

Purfleet onThames Community Forum felt this would be the perfect timing to reaffirm the welcome and chose bright and cheery colours to give a friendly greeting.

Trevor Batchelor, Vice Chair of the forum said: "After nudging the name change over the line in July I was pleased to have been involved with this boat project on Stonehouse Roundabout.