SOUTHAMPTON'S leisure bosses are due to give a further cash boost of £20,000 to help preserve one of the city's most historic vessels.

Members of the ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet have agreed to make the payment to members of the Tug Tender Calshot Trust.

In April, the Daily Echo revealed how leisure chiefs agreed to donate a payment of £30,000 to the trust after council bosses decided they could no longer afford to keep the Calshot tug, which is berthed in the city's Ocean Dock.

A final payment will bring the total up to £50,000 given to the trustees.

The trust will then take over ownership of the vessel.

Trustees said they were hopeful that they would be able to raise lottery funding of more than £1m to help preserve the historic vessel, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Jim Delder-field, trustee and director of the Tug Tender Calshot Trust, said: "We are very hopeful.

"There is also a good chance that she may be able to be berthed at Woolston.

"We have to raise about £1m to get her restored, but of course that can be payment in kind."

For the past four years, the tug has sat quietly in a corner of the city's waterfront.

But last year it was revealed that the tug could sink, after a survey found it was taking in water.

Trustees managed to secure a one-off lottery payment to help safeguard the tug.

The cash paid for vital repairs to the ship's hull.

City Council leader, Councillor Adrian Vinson, said: "We have now reached an agreement with the trust and will be transferring her to the trust.

"Obviously, we now hope that as independents they are in a better position than the council to raise the funds necessary for her restoration."