THERE were red sails in the sunshine off Tenby this afternoon (Saturday) as the first Tenby Lugger to be built in over a century arrived for her naming ceremony.

A flotilla of around a dozen small craft escorted the lugger - named Heritage - as she made her way towards Tenby harbour to moor alongside the quay after sailing round from her berth at Pembroke Dock.

Spectators and guests - including the vice-chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Simon Hancock - responded with three cheers and applause at the conclusion of the naming and blessing ceremony, conducted by the Rector of Tenby, Canon Andrew Grace.

The construction of the replica craft was originally begun by boatbuilding students at Milford Haven's MITEC centre. Last year, she was taken over by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society, and members and volunteers have completed the work, together with fitting an auxiliary engine and rigging the spars and sails.

"It's been a great occasion," said West Wales Maritime Heritage Society chairman, Brian King. "Last month, we had to cancel the ceremony because of the weather, and a week ago, the weather forecast for today was far from certain.

"Luckily, it has turned into a beautiful day which has helped the whole occasion.

"The most emotional part for me was seeing her mooring safely alongside the quay, as she has a very long bowsprit!

"It was great to see her being handled so nicely and arriving in Tenby at last."

Skippering the Heritage was Rob Phillips, who added: "It was a big relief to bring her into Tenby safely, as we've been planning it for so long.

"There was a big swell as we came around St Govan's Head earlier on, but she took it well."

The Tenby Lugger as once one of the most recognisable fishing boat types along the Welsh coast in its heyday in the late 19th century.

Heritage, constructed from drawings made in 1936, will now take part in community events with an education programme being planned for the future by the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society.