Vital talks for troubled yard

Workers are carrying out factory maintenance

Executives will be talking to potential customers in London on Friday to help save Devon's Appledore shipyard.

More than 400 workers at the yard are currently spending their time painting and tidying the site on the banks of the Torridge.

But the care and maintenance programme can only last for a short time before the company runs out of money.

Designers are still drawing up potential orders and sales staff are trying to secure contracts.

And 50 workers will have some work in Plymouth finishing the last boat out of the yard, which left a week ago.

But the future of the yard could rest with Friday's meeting with a potential buyer for some smaller ships.

Talks are expected to go on for much of the day.