For the first time in a century, water began flowing back into Northfleet Harbour.

Though not quite ready for a sailing barge, the water level in the West Dock filled up last week, giving a glimpse of the future.

Work is being done to restore it to its former glory, and it is hoped the site could be home to hundreds of vessels as well as offering boat sales, repairs and a whole maritime leisure, sporting and heritage industry.

Trustee director of the Northfleet Harbour Restoration Trust Conrad Broadley said: “At the moment we are focusing on archaeology and have exposed two rare Georgian docks and a lost slipway and have been slowly digging down so that we can better understand the ancient history of the harbour that predates the Romans.

“The archaeology in the docks had taken us down to the pre-1900 level which for the first time in 100 years allowed the West Dock to be filled with water.

“The East Dock is still to be fully filled but still took a bit of water.”

You can keep up to date at www.northfleetharbour.org.uk