HOW WE SAVED THE WORLD'S BEST PADDLE STEAMER

THE incredible story of how Sunday Mail readers helped save the world's last seagoing paddle steamer is revealed in a new documentary.

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

Waverley celebrates her 50th anniversary of cruising with the PSPS after its spring sailing schedule kicked off on Friday.

Since its launch in 1946, the Waverley has remained a firm favourite with day-trippers for its legendry voyages “doon the watter” from Glasgow's River Clyde around the west coast islands.

It is listed by National Historic Ships UK as “a vessel of pre-eminent national importance’ and was built to replace a previous Waverley sunk in 1940 while helping to evacuate troops from Dunkirk during World War II.

But in the mid-70s she fell into disrepair and faced being sent to the scrapyard before being bought for £1 by the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) which then joined forces with this newspaper to campaign for her survival.

Now the tale of how she was rescued is recounted in a new film Saving Waverley featuring unseen interviews and footage.