COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve a grant of £20,000 for Britain's oldest warship afloat.

Restoration work on HMS Trincomalee, which is berthed in Hartlepool, has taken more than ten years to complete and cost £10m.

Funding for the project came from sources including Hartlepool Borough Council, the Teesside Development Corporation and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Now restoration work on the 183-year-old frigate is finished, the Trincomalee Trust is in discussions with a developer to secure a visitor centre.

Leading up to the completion of the centre, the trust will face a difficult financial situation and is attempting to obtain "bridging" funds from sources, including the Government and fundraising.

It has also asked for assistance from Hartlepool Borough Council.

A report to the council's strategy board, which meets tomorrow, said: "It would be in the interests of Hartlepool for the Trincomalee to form the centrepiece of a significant new visitor attraction."

The trust does not pay the council for the frigate's berth and a number of other facilities are also provided without charge.

The report said: "It would seem reasonable for the council to assist the trust further to enable it to continue to operate effectively.

"It is suggested that a sum of £20,000 would be reasonable."