Queen's Diamond Jubilee: Crew wanted for River Wye barge

The 36ft long (10.9m) Wye Trow is being built in Gloucester

A project to build a replica historic cargo barge to take part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations is on the hunt for a crew.

The Wye Trow is being built in Gloucester based on the design of a barge that used to carry cargo along the River Wye about 200 years ago.

It will represent Herefordshire in the Diamond Jubilee pageant on the River Thames on 3 June.

A squad of 16 rowers will be selected from a list of volunteers.

Training is due to take place in April and May, with a final crew of eight expected to row the boat in the 1,000 strong flotilla in June.

The crew will use 15ft oars to row the barge along the 11 to 15km route, wearing period costume.

After the pageant the trow is expected to be used for education and tourism and would highlight the county's heritage.

In the 18th and 19th centuries trows were used to carry cargo such as coal, cider and wool.

Timber for the 36ft long (10.9m) craft has been sourced from estates across Herefordshire.