A huge marine piling rig was delivered to Wells quay this week as the project to build the port's new outer harbour entered its final stages.The town's famous nautical landmark, the 100-year-old Dutch clipper the Albatros, was temporarily moved to a mooring a few metres away to allow the 20ft metal blocks to be craned into place on Tuesday.

A huge marine piling rig was delivered to Wells quay this week as the project to build the port's new outer harbour entered its final stages.

The town's famous nautical landmark, the 100-year-old Dutch clipper the Albatros, was temporarily moved to a mooring a few metres away to allow the 20ft metal blocks to be craned into place on Tuesday.

Once constructed, the rig will be transported to the newly-dredged area of the harbour to the east of Beach Road where it will set the foundations for a new jetty and 14 pontoons to be floated into place.

Wells harbourmaster Robert Smith said the work was due to be completed by next Friday.

The harbour improvements will increase tidal access for service vessels which will be based in Wells to maintain the �1bn Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm, due to be built by the end of 2011,

Einar Str�msv�g, plant manager for Norwegian-owned energy company Scira, told a meeting of Wells Town Council on Monday that major milestones were approaching for the project.

“I am very proud now because we have passed 25pc progress,” he said. “It is a huge logistical challenge for us and we are producing all the equipment and foundations all over Europe ready for the big project escalation in spring.”

Mr Str�msv�g said the 22km cable which will connect the 88 turbines to the onshore substation at Salle, near Reepham, was half complete and the first giant monopile foundation would be installed in April.

He also said Scira hoped to appoint its first employee to be based onshore in Wells - a marine logistics coordinator - in spring.