A KITE boat that will be used to raise funds for Claire House has been launched at Cammell Laird shipyard.

The 'CL Challenger' was handed over to crew members Neil Gyllenship, Mike Palmer, Ben Kirkpatrick, Dean Jagger and Jayne Dixon, who were also involved in its design and will set sail on a series of fund-raising challenges for the hospice later this year.

The eco-friendly vessel was designed by retired shipyard naval architect Bill Owen incorporating a kite as the main power source to propel the vessel.

It generates electric power for radio, lights and GPS through batteries charged via solar panel.

The building project was funded and completed with support from a number of firms within the local marine community, including Birkenhead-based Seaking Electrical, Pyeroy, MPE Interiors, Pipex and SR Marine Surveyors.

Bill Syvret said: "We are hugely grateful for the support shown by Cammell Laird shipyard owners and directors, the input from Bill Owen, and especially the shipyard shipwright department and the team of local marine companies involved.

"The vessel has been built to support Claire House but now many other charities will hopefully benefit from its fundraising activities in the future.

"This has been a fascinating project and is certainly the first craft of its kind to be built at the yard. The kite boat is a "concept vessel" and a relatively new invention, in its modern form.

"We hope the CL Challenger will be the source of much fun, excitement and adventure for its crew, while helping raise much needed cash to support Claire House and numerous other worthy causes."

Each year Cammell Laird staff, management and subcontractors join forces to gather money for local children's hospices including Claire House.

Jess Campbell, corporate fundraiser for Claire House Children's Hospice said: "We're so delighted to be a part of this project.

"Claire House is currently only reaching one in two families we could support.

"The money the CL Challenger raises on its journeys will allow Claire House to support many more families as they travel along their own journeys with their seriously-ill children."