The last surviving wooden fishing boat in Hastings is to be restored and put on permanent display following a successful fund-raising campaign.

The campaign to raise £5,000 to secure the future of the boat ‘Felicity’ was started by Peter Carney, who founded the Hastings Wooden Boats Group.

Clinker built in 1980 by H J Phillips Boatbuilders in Rye and originally named Our Pam and Peter, her construction was once the subject of a BBC documentary.

For many years she was worked by the brothers who own her, carrying forward Hastings’ proud beach-fishing tradition. When she ceased work and was deregistered two years ago, it was the end of an era stretching back for many centuries.

The boat faced an uncertain future after a plan to turn her into an ornamental building for a private garden, which would have involved cutting her in half.

Now she will be restored and put on display on the piece of land opposite the Dolphin pub in Rock-a-Nore Road.

Peter Carney said: “The Old Hastings Preservation Society, The Fishermen’s Museum, and volunteer group Hastings Wooden Boats have worked together to save retired fishing boat RX58 Felicity — the last wooden fishing boat to work from Hastings beach and an irreplaceable part of our maritime heritage.

“Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to reaching our target of £5,000 to save her. Of course the work carries on. The Crowd Funding page will remain active for donations which will help fund the display and restoration of Felicity and her sisters at the Hastings Fishermen's Museum. Arrangements are being made with contractors to lift Felicity into the space opposite the Dolphin pub and plans made for the initial modifications and repairs needed both to ensure public safety and her long term preservation in the best possible shape. Felicity's future is now far more certain. Putting her on display in Hastings' iconic maritime quarter will keep her heritage afloat for all time - a proud reminder of the town’s ancient working maritime tradition.

Preserving Felicity for display adds to the attractiveness of the town's iconic maritime heritage quarter, a key tourist attraction, providing some economic counterbalance to the effects of a changing climate. You can support the appeal by donating at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/felicity-hastings