AN ambitious £8m bid could bring the Royal Yacht Britannia into Manchester for Millennium celebrations.

It would form the centrepiece floating stately home in a heritage park from a berth on the Manchester Ship Canal close to the Trafford Centre.

Peel Holdings plc have developed the bid, unveiled today, which is being considered by the Ministry of Defence. If successful The Britannia Village Heritage Park could be open in time for Millennium celebrations in December 1999.

"This is a serious and compelling bid," said Manchester Ship Canal Company property director Mike Butterworth. "We will not use Britannia as a hotel, a casino, a conference centre or an up-market eating place, as others seem to be proposing."

Replicas of the Queen's fixtures and fittings will be made. A history of the yacht will be on view in surrounding buildings with details of the opening of the canal by Queen Victoria.

There are also bids for the Royal Yacht from London, Scotland and Portsmouth.

The company claim they present "the most comprehensive, achievable and compelling case to bring Britannia to Manchester".

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