A TOURISM-boosting scheme to sink a warship and create a new diving reef has taken a major step forward thanks to a benefactor.

A local businessman has agreed to help launch the project by putting up the cash to purchase an ex-Royal Navy warship that would be scuttled off Weymouth.

His company would also be involved in preparing the ship before it is sunk. The proposed location for the reef is a spot south of Ringstead Bay.

The project is designed to help revive the ailing diving industry which has taken a few knocks in recent years.

The people behind the Wreck to Reef (W2R) project are delighted by the businessman’s offer of help as their recent bid for funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) was turned down.

Project co-ordinator Neville Copperthwaite refused to name the businessman or the sum of money involved but he did say he was involved in the local marine industry.

He said the businessman’s offer was a ‘godsend’ given SWRDA’s refusal of financial help.

“He wants to remain anonymous for the time being but he has taken a keen interest in the project,” said Mr Copperthwaite.

“He is currently in discussions with the Ministry of Defence about purchasing a ship. It would be environmentally cleaned and made safe for diving while moored in Weymouth Harbour thereby maximising publicity for the project.”

A similar scheme in Plymouth cost £1.4million. W2R organisers have said in the past that cost of a warship could be from £100,000 upwards The ship at the subject of discussions, which could be coming to Weymouth as early as next May, played an integral role in the Falklands War and is understood to be either a Castle Class patrol vessel or a Type 42 Destroyer.

Mr Copperthwaite said: “This development takes the project out of the realms of anticipation and moves it into reality. “This is a towering example of the business sector putting something back into the community.”

So far the local diving industry has financed the project and it was hoped to tap SWRDA for additional funds. The agency invested £1.4million into a similar project at Plymouth.

But Mr Copperthwaite said: “It looks like we are on our own. It seems there is no funding available from any government agency for a project of this nature.

“We are, however, fortunate to have support from both the borough and the county councils, and this combined with the local business sector may well be enough to get the first ship scuttled and the regeneration of our diving industry under way.”

The W2R team are also in discussions with a view to filling the reef site with a number of young lobsters as part of a plan to support the angling community. It is also proposed to drop some ‘reef balls’ on to the site which are used to form reef habitat.