TEN years ago a group of history enthusiasts towed the Severn Princess 500 miles intending to restore her as a Chepstow icon.

But after it was announced she will never sail again, group co-ordinator Tim Ryan admitted making her seaworthy was always a wish rather than reality.

The Severn Princess carried motorists from Beachley to Aust until 1966 when the Severn Bridge was built. Sold to an Irish firm, the Severn Princess Restoration Group bought the ferry in 1999 for £1.05, citing plans to re-launch her.

Chepstow Town Council offered up £10,000 but delays meant that 10 years on, a lot of work is still needed and now she will merely form part of the Bridge Space Project – a riverside attraction celebrating the town’s transport and industrial heritage under the Brunel Bridge.

The group has spent just over half the grant money on insurance, repair work to the hull, the Network Rail lease allowing the ferry to be stationed under Brunel Bridge and fencing panels.

Mr Ryan said: "In the first four years a lot of work was done inside."

He added work on the deck and paintwork was also undertaken but when the Princess was towed to Beachley she was "too exposed and inaccessible" for work to take place there.

The Severn Princess was towed to Buffers Wharf last year and was finally winched on shore in April this year at high tide. A request by Cllr Hilary Beach to return the unspent cash was turned down by the town council, despite concerns surrounding delays to work and the ferry's deterioration.

Mr Ryan says the rest of the grant money will now be spent, and a further £10,000 to £20,000 needed to fully restore the Princess will mainly be met through fundraising.