London, Apr. 25 : The lifting of the seven tonne counter or a large part of the stern of the damaged historical ship Cutty Sark for restoration has led the concerned authorities to believe that conservation is back on track.

According to The Sun, the counter was lifted clear of its site in Greenwich by crane.

A year ago – on May 21, 2007 – a fire burnt through the ship’s three decks. The cause of the fire is still unclear, but the Cutty Sark Trust intends to put the ship back on display in time for the Olympics in 2012.

Richard Doughty, the trust’s chief executive, said that lifting the seven-ton iron counter yesterday was a “major milestone” in the ship’s restoration.

The fire added millions to the cost of a repair programme, with the total now likely to reach 35 million pounds. (ANI)