The Matthew stays ship shape with 3-day trip around Bristol Harbour

Under John Cabot it sailed for a month to reach the shores of Newfoundland but half a millennium later its replica will also embark on a marathon journey.

From November 26 to 29 the Matthew will set sail on a 72-hour trip around the Bristol harbour to raise money for £25,000 of essential restoration work needed to ensure the vessel remains "ship shape".

The crew of the Matthew will be giving the ship special attention over the winter months to keep her in full working order, and Bristol residents are invited to be part of the sailing adventure when the boat docks for boarding every hour on the hour outside the Arnolfini, in Narrow Quay. Skipper Ben Jones said: "We are setting out on an unusual sailing experience to help raise money for much-needed restoration of the ship we all love.

"The Matthew has brought a lot of joy and happiness to so many, we now ask for everyone to give a little bit in order to keep the ship going.

"During the evenings of the 72-hour stint we are turning the medieval ship into a floating bar serving drinks and with live music and DJs throughout the wee hours of the morning. And of course we will be covered and heated. If you want to do something different with your weekend - this is certainly going to be it."

More than 500 years ago Cabot and his crew of 18 set sail d aboard the original Matthew hoping to trade goods and commodities with the people who lived overseas.

He departed on either May 2 or May 20, 1497, and sailed to Dursey Head, Ireland, from where he sailed due west to Asia - or so he thought. He landed on the coast of Newfoundland on June 24, 1497.

The Matthew has become one of Bristol's familiar sights and has been part of the Harbourside since retracing the epic 1497 voyage in 1997. It carried the same number of crew members as the original and took the same and used the same amount of time to complete the crossing. In 2006, the ship featured in a half-hour documentary which challenged six youngsters from varying urban backgrounds to get to grips with sailing a traditional ship.

The ship is also set up to be used in historically accurate dramatic reconstructions.

Mr Jones added that over the years the Matthew's maintenance has kept the ship in great condition, allowing trips and cruises around the harbour and beyond, but ever-increasing costs have necessitated this direct appeal.

For more information visit www.matthew.co.uk or to book your space on the ship call 0117 927 6868.