A HAMPSHIRE firm is restoring one of the last remaining landing craft used in one of the most dangerous actions of the Falklands War.

Landau UK in Swanwick have won the contract from Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to refit and refurbish Foxtrot 8.

The craft was carried to South Atlantic aboard the Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Fearless and landed 3 Commando Brigade at night in San Carlos Water, the notorious “bomb alley”, during Operation Sutton.

The Commandos, reinforced by 2 Para and 3 Para, then 'yomped' across East

Falkland to take the capital Port Stanley from the invading Argentine forces.

Foxtrot 8, which is 43ft long and weighs 12.5 tonnes, can carry 35 fully-equipped soldiers or two Land Rovers.

CRAFT: HMS Fearless CRAFT: HMS Fearless

She was already over 30 years old when the saw action in the Falklands having been built by Camper & Nicholson in Gosport in 1959.

Foxtrot 8 is currently in a semi derelict condition but once restored could provide an opportunity for wheelchair users to get afloat in an historic vessel.

Ben Metcalfe, chief executive officer at Landau UK said: "We are delighted to have secured this contract from the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to bring this vessel of historical importance back to her former glory.

"Landau UK have extensive experience and first-hand knowledge of vessels similar to the F8, and we feel that our proposal clearly demonstrated our approach to sympathetically restore her. We are excited to be involved in this project and look forward to working with the Trust’s volunteers and Students of the International Boatbuilding Training College - Portsmouth (IBTC-P).”

The project is being funded by the Chancellor using LIBOR funds and is part of the Trust’s wider “Memorial Fleet” project.

The Memorial Fleet will be an operational fleet of small historic craft which have played a significant role in the defence of the nation during the 20th Century – from the First World War to the Falklands.