WANT to buy a sailing ship and be just like Capt Hornblower?

The replica 1780’s Royal Navy frigate Grand Turk, which has been seen many times on the River Medway, has been put on the market by its owners.

It’s snip at just £3.5 million.

The vessel, launched in 1997, was built for the popular Hornblower TV series but has featured in dozens of other films and TV productions

The vessel is owned by Turks, who moved from Kingston-on-Thames to the enormous Covered Slip 7 at Chatham’s Historic Dockyard several years ago.

John Tweedle, managing director of the Turk Group, said: "Modern technology has meant the nature of film and television production has changed with the result there is less demand for such ships.

"Grand Turk is very much in demand for events and festivals but that’s not really the business we’re in and pressure for our core entertainment and media activities is ever-increasing, hence our decision to sell the ship."

Mr Tweedle said money from the sale of Grand Turk would be invested in further development of Turks’ business in Chatham.

"We have now completed the initial work of getting the Covered Slip back into operation," he said. " We’ve just signed a 25-year lease agreement on the Slip, reflecting the enormous confidence we have in the Medway Towns and its workforce."

Between film and TV work, Grand Turk has been a popular visitor to many maritime festivals around Europe, many of which were organised by Medway company European Maritime Events.

Grand Turk made an unscheduled stopover at Chatham last month to take advantage of the shelter provided by the river from the storms and gale force winds raging out at sea. It may have been the last opportunity to see the vessel in the Medway ahead of her sale.