BOSSES behind a project to recreate a historic ship have entered into top level talks with a city with strong links to the vessel.

The Harwich Mayflower Project has been contacted by Southampton City Council who is interested in working with the project on its venture.

Southampton was one of the ports of call for the Mayflower before it shipped the Pilgrims to America in 1620.

Andy March, the project’s managing director, said: "Southampton's proposal to establish a serious partnership with the Harwich Mayflower Project is really exciting".