A PIECE of naval history is about to undergo a £30,000 professional restoration.

The historic figurehead on the 200-year-old HMS Trincomalee has travelled over 100,000 miles in all extremes of climate attached to the bows of the ship, which is now on display at The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool. Carved by Hellyer & Son, the figurehead depicts a turbaned man, believed to represent a native of Sri Lanka where Trincomalee is a port. It was built of teak in India for the Royal Navy in 1817, will be restored to its former glory using money awarded by the Art Fund, and donations from The Friends of HMS Trincomalee.

Extensive restoration work will be undertaken at a specialist naval conservators in Greenwich and include: timber and paint analysis and the replacement and re-carving of decayed timber.