The River Fal lay-up berths will be empty in the coming month for the first time in years.

The roll on roll off ferry Norman Trader has been sold to Stena Line to be renamed Stena Allegra. She is expected to leave the Fal tomorrow or on Friday, towed by four harbour tugs. The ship will then be taken to the Cross Roads buoy until a salvage tug arrives to tow her to the Baltic for a refit.

It is reported that the Windsor Castle, the former Scottish lighthouse tender Fingal, will also leave the Fal for dry-docking after eight years in lay-up.

Built by Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, of Glasgow, the Fingal was the last ship to be built by the yard in 1963 and was based at Oban. In 1994 she transferred to Stromness. In 2000 she was sold to Tamahine Investments Ltd of Hong Kong, registered in London and renamed Windsor Castle.