TWENTY years after the closure of Chatham Dockyard, ship-building is to return once more.

R.J. Turk and Sons, which builds specialist craft for the film industry, has moved into Slip No. 7, most recently used as an indoor ski-slope.

The company is best known for The Grand Turk, the 150ft replica of an 18th century warship which it built for use in the television series "Hornblower". The ship is currently moored in the Medway.

Managing director John Tweedle said: "We can build any kind of vessel, from a tiny coracle upwards. We specialise in classic and historical vessels.

"But we also have all the paraphernalia to do with old boats, such as fishing nets, navigation equipment, and coils of rope. In fact we probably have the most comprehensive stock in Europe.

"Moving to the Historic Dockyard has been a great challenge, but people here have been extremely helpful. It means we can take on bigger projects, because our old boatyard at Sunbury on Thames had become too small.

"For us this is a massive project. It has meant investing a great deal of capital.

"Initially we'll be employing about eight people here, but as we evolve we expect to expand the workforce up to about 30."

The Grand Turk has already made several visits to the Medway, but Mr Tweedle says he hopes she will become an even more familiar sight on the river, together with her sister ship, the Baltic Trader Julia.