Historic steam drifter the Lydia Eva could be setting sail for King's Lynn to celebrate the opening of the town's new river moorings.

A final decision is expected soon on whether pontoons can be anchored in the river near the Green Quay.

West Norfolk Council believes the moorings would help boost the tourist trade.

The Lynn-based Worfolk Boat Trust, which is restoring historic Wash fishing vessel the Baden Powell, hopes she will be moored on the pontoons when work is complete later this year.

Ken Hill from the trust said: 'We had our AGM on Friday, where Dr Paul Richards, our chairman, said that a decision about putting the pontoons in the river might be finalised this month, if the Conservancy Board and the borough council can agree.

'That would provide us with a means of operating our river trips in the Baden Powell – although those will not be happening until the restoration is complete – September at the earliest, but more likely summer of 2013. But more relevant to the pontoons is the possible visit for the Heritage Open Day this year on Sunday, September 9, of the Lydia Eva, the steam drifter built in King's Lynn in 1930.

'She is now fully restored thanks to an �800,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, including the engine, and the Lydia Eva & Mincarlo Charitable Trust is keen to bring her round to Lynn this summer.

' I and others are going to raise the money to pay for the coal she will use on the round trip. They will need the pontoons because the Lydia Eva isn't designed to rest on the mud.

'I had hopes of bringing her into the Purfleet, but it is two feet short of what is required for Lydia's depth.'

Mr Hill said the trust would need to raise �1,250 to cover Lydia Eva's coal bill for the trip.

Built in 1930, the Lydia Eva is the last surviving member of Great Yarmouth's herring fleet.

More than 1,000 of the vessels worked from the town in the 1920s and 30s. Still moored at Yarmouth, she has been restored to working order by a charitable trust.

The Worfolk trust is raising the money to restore the Baden Powell – a double-ended Wash fishing boat built in Lynn by the famous Walter Worfolk.

A hog roast is planned to celebrate Capt George Vancouver's birthday on Friday, June 22.