The first extensive dive season on the historic wreck site of the Mary Rose since the ship’s hull was raised more than 20 years ago is to take place this summer.

A four-week series of dives began this week in connection with the published consultation programme with Portsmouth Regeneration Project over the proposed dredging of the approaches to Portsmouth harbour.

This will allow Portsmouth Naval Base to handle the new generation of warships, particularly the future aircraft carrier.

One of the proposed sea routes into the harbour is close to the wreck site of Henry VIII’s warship, and the planned dives will enable the retrieval, under controlled conditions, of archaeological material stored by reburial under the Solent sea bed during the Mary Rose excavations in the early 1980s.

This may include timber from the ship, parts of guns and other artefacts.

A further programme to clear the site of all debris left from the excavations, and further monitoring of the status of the site, is also planned.