Thames Estuary sailors will soon be able to re-live their maritime past when a new visitor centre describing the life and times of the classic paddle-steamer Medway Queen opens in Kent.

The centre on Gillingham Pier, River Medway is nearing completion and will be ready for full public opening for the 2012 tourist season by which time the paddler will be back on the water.

The displays will include a scale model of Medway Queen in her heyday and ephemera and other items from the ship’s past.