The plan could turn Plymouth into a global centre of diving expertise

A plan to create Europe's first artificial reef off the South West coast by sinking a Navy warship moved closer as organisers revealed they had bought the vessel.

Plymouth's National Marine Aquarium (NMA) announced it has bought HMS Scylla with funding from the South West Regional Development Agency (RDA).

The plan is to sink the frigate off Whitsand Bay in Cornwall for divers to explore, as well as for it to be colonised by local species of fish.

The NMA has paid around �200,000 for the Leander Class Frigate and it is hoped she will arrive in Plymouth later this month.

HMS Scylla A Leander Class Frigate with a general and anti-submarine role Built in the late 1960s The ship was recommended for disposal in 1991 It was decommissioned in December 1993 The last warship built at Devonport Dockyard Similar vessels have been placed on the seabed in Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Work to clean her up could be carried out in the city, with the aim of sinking the ship in April.

Mike Leece, chief executive of the NMA, said: "I am delighted that our bid has been successful.

"Our immediate task is to finalise the plans for the vessel's tow to Plymouth and the necessary work prior to its placement on the seabed in April next year."

The NMA took over the Scylla project from the Artificial Reef Consortium earlier this year.

Members of the consortium have been retained as consultants.

The vessel was taken out of active service in 1993 and has been used as a training facility in Portsmouth Harbour since then.

It was built in the late 1960s and was the last warship built in Devonport.

It is estimated the project will add millions of pounds to the local economy each year.

A feasibility study conducted earlier this year, commissioned by the RDA, indicated the sinking of the ship could turn Plymouth into a global centre of diving expertise.

The attraction would also increase opportunities for local businesses through tourism, medical research, design, technology, science and education, the study said.