VISITORS to one of Hull's floating museums will be able to send radio messages around the world this weekend.

The Spurn lightship will be part of an international link-up involving more than 250 lighthouses and lightships in countries as far afield as Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.

Amateur radio enthusiasts from the Midlands are travelling to the city to organise the event.

Maurice Boland, of the Kettering And District Amateur Radio Society, said: "I was working in Hull last summer and saw the Spurn lightship in the marina.

"I thought using a lightship that was also a public museum as our base for broadcasting would give a unique experience."

Built in Goole in 1927, the Spurn lightship operated for 48 years as a navigational aid in the approaches of the Humber estuary.

Stationed just over four miles off Spurn Point, the vessel had a crew of seven who were onboard for a month at a time.

Their job was to maintain and operate the gas-powered light, which could be seen for 11 miles, record weather conditions and keep a register of passing ships.

The lightship was decommissioned in 1975 when automatic navigational lights were introduced on the Humber.

It was bought by the city council eight years later, restored and moored in Hull Marina in 1987.

The radio hams plan to operate from a makeshift station onboard the vessel throughout the weekend.

The link-up is being jointly organised by the International Association Of Lighthouse Keepers and amateur radio enthusiasts around the world.

A unique call sign based on the one used by the lightship during its active service in the Humber will be used for the occasion.

Mr Goulder said repairs last year had limited the lighthouse's opening to the public this year.

He said: "It was open during the recent Clipper weekend and we had 3,500 visitors in just two days."

The ship and its radio station will be open on Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 1.30pm to 4pm.

Spurn lightship event: www.spurn.puffinpost.com