Sailing into history - first boat launch on the River Wear in almost 40 years

Crowds gathered to see a rare River Wear sight these days - a boat launch.

- by Katy Wheeler

Vessels being launched on the once heavily-industrialised river were once commonplace, but it is almost 40 years since such an event has taken place on Wearside.

Not only was the launch of Lilian the first since the late 1980s, she is also a fine example of the traditional skill of boat building.

Six years in the making, she was handmade from two trees - a larch and oak - and is a replica of a Sunderland foy coble boat.

She's the handiwork of a dedicated team of boat builders at Sunderland Maritime Heritage in the East End, who were in attendance as she made her maiden voyage from Sunderland Marina around the harbour to Roker and back again.