Concert to raise Cutty Sark cash

The 138-year-old boat is in dry dock

A concert is to be held in London over the summer to raise money to help rebuild the Cutty Sark.

A fundraising appeal was launched after the 138-year-old tea clipper was ravaged by fire a week ago in Greenwich, south-east London.

The vessel was undergoing a £25m restoration and much of the ship had been removed as part of the repairs.

Police are continuing investigations in relation to CCTV after tests revealed "no logical cause for a natural fire".

Wide appeal

Stephen Archer, of Cutty Sark Enterprises which is repairing the vessel, said the concert would take place in the Greenwich area in the next eight weeks.

He said: "I think it may well be a mixture of genres.

"I think it's going to be some sort of combination to have a wide appeal."

He would not reveal details of artists, but added: "We have got some major support on that."

Mr Archer also revealed that the fundraising appeal was likely to reach the £500,000 mark by the end of Tuesday.

Re-opening delayed

The clipper had been due to re-open in 2009 but Mr Archer said the damage was expected to delay the reopening by six to eight months.

Almost 50% of the ship, including masts, coach houses and planking, was being stored elsewhere as part of the conservation work when the fire took hold.

But Mr Archer added: "I see no barriers to completing the conservation in the envisaged form."

More details of how much the concert tickets will cost and how they will be obtained are due to be released next week.

The Cutty Sark site has re-opened to the public and the pavilion where artefacts are on display has seen a three-fold increase in visitors over the past week.