The last paddle steamer boat built in Britain is set to re-open this Friday.

Thanks to a £950,000 cash injection from The Scottish Government, the Maid of the Loch will open its doors again over the Easter weekend.

Whilst the refurbishment is still ‘work in progress’, visitors will be able to hear first-hand how the historic vessel is being renovated to restore it close to the original style.

Along with its traditional Easter egg hunt, the boat’s tearoom will open its newly refurbished doors, with guided tours of the ship and neighbouring Balloch Steam Slipway also on offer.

The Maid currently operates as a static tourist attraction and hopes to gain industrial museum status for the ship and steam slipway as a growing number of artefacts are collected and restored to working condition.

However, with more work set to take place in the coming months, bosses hope have her engines turning over slowly by the end of June.

The charity Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC) has worked since 1996 to restore the ship

John Beveridge, chairman of the group said: “Work is very much still ongoing, however there are areas that can be enjoyed by visitors and we are thrilled to be able to open in time for Easter.”