THE salvation of a fishing boat turned holiday destination is one of the subjects of an art exhibition in Kendal.

During her life Brazilian born artist Josefina de Vasconcellos MBE, who lived in Little Langdale, used the former trawler Harriet as a recreation space for disabled children.

The boat was kept in the Duddon Estuary, near Millom, between 1978 and 1998 where it was the base for children to take holidays in the surrounding countryside.

After it fell into disrepair Fleetwood Museum launched a project to move the vessel to Fylde coast town, where it was originally built.

Watercolour artist Margaret King, who lives in St Annes-on-Sea, was there when the Harriet returned to the museum for restoration in 1998.

Sketches she made of the boat are part of an exhibition celebrating Josefina de Vasconcellos’ life at the Josefina Gallery in Kent View.

Miss King, 82, said the day Harriet returned to Fleetwood caused a lot of excitement in the town.

“The whole of Fleetwood was ringing bells and blowing horns and it just showed what the boat meant to the town,” she said.

The exhibition will run until January 7.