Heave-ho: Volunteers drag the bluestone

But the ill-fated idea ground to a halt when the stone sank to the sea-bed on a water bourne leg of the journey from Milford Haven.

The project was designed to retrace the Stone Age journey from Preseli to Stonehenge 4,000 years ago.

In October project co-ordinators Menter Preseli learned that it was being allowed to keep its Heritage Lottery funding, making it possible to continue the project.

Now volunteers are gearing up for the renewed attempt to transport the stone across the sea to Bristol, from where it will be hauled down the River Avon, along canals and across land to Stonehenge by September.

At the moment, the stone is lying under covers, locked away, at Milford Haven Port, but discussions are already under way to decide where its final destination will be.

Phillip Bowen: Aims to carry on in 2001

Millennium stone project coordinator Philip Bowen said: "There has never been any mention to put it in the stone circle - that would be sacrilege.

But it might go on display in the car park. "We are still discussing a permanent home for it."

Stonehenge is administered by English Heritage and the National Trust owns the surrounding land.

The bluestone will take to the sea again in May in the hands of a team of about 12 rowers.

The crossing should only take a week, but Menter Preseli is allowing a month, aiming to haul it into Bristol by June where hundreds of volunteers will be ready to pick it up for the journey to Stonehenge.

Mr Bowen admitted the project had been criticised for failing to meet its original timetable, but he said the main aim is still within reach.

He said: "This is a project that has fired the imagination and the spirit of people, not just in Wales but across the UK and the world.