Replica ships plan for Devonport

One of the first boats planned is HMS Beagle, the vessel on which naturalist Charles Darwin mapped out many of his ideas on evolution.

It is also hoped that interest in the Beagle will help the project become self-funding.

Plans to build the replicas may receive a slice of £40m recently awarded to the Devonport Regeneration Committee.

Job losses

Local people would be trained in boat-building techniques as part of the regeneration effort.

At a meeting on Monday, residents will hear details of a ten year scheme to safeguard the future of ship building at Devonport.

Earlier this year it was announced that privatisation plans could lead to substantial job losses in the area.

Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe.