SPECIALIST repairs set to be carried out on the Maid of the Loch paddle steamer will be "the most significant chapter" in the ship's history since she was saved from the brink of the scrapheap more than 25 years ago.

That's the view of the chairman of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company (LLSC), which bought the historic Balloch-based paddle steamer in 1995 and has been working ever since to restore the ship and return her to steam.

Iain Robertson was speaking after the LLSC announced the appointment of a Greenock-based contractor to carry out specialist welding work on the hull of the vessel, which was hauled out of Loch Lomond on to a specially-built cradle in the summer for her hull to be surveyed.

Dales Marine Ltd will carry out the specialist hull repair work, mostly on the ship's keel block and on sections to either side in the boiler room area.

Other smaller repairs are required near the bow, the result of abrasion to the hull in shallow water while the ship was sailing on the loch, with the resultant loss of some coating materials.

While Dales' staff - who already have experience of carrying out work on the paddle steamer Waverley - will provide the specialist welding skills required to replace these sections of the hull, the Maid's own volunteers will carry out the rest of the work in a bid to keep costs strictly under control.

Mr Robertson, LLSC director and chairman, said: "Without a doubt this is the start of the most significant chapter in the Maid’s history since the charity saved her in 1995.

"The full repair of the hull will ensure her future for another 50 to 60 years and heralds the prospect of her sailing again on Loch Lomond.”

Andrew Malcolm, Dales Marine's business development manager, said: “Dales Marine is delighted to provide our technical expertise in supporting the repair of the Maid of the Loch.

"We look forward to working with LLSC and their team of volunteers with this vital work to save such a historic vessel.”

The LLSC also hopes - subject to being able to raise further funds - to complete the refurbishment of the ship's paddle wheels, which it says are in "very poor condition", but are already receiving attention from the Maid's volunteer army.

The list of planned work also includes repainting the vessel in her original colours - a light grey hull with a buff funnel and green 'boot topping'.

Built at the Clydeside yard of A. & J. Inglis, the Maid was transported in pieces to Balloch before being reassembled ahead of her entry into service in 1953.

The ship hasn't sailed on Loch Lomond since 1981.