Nine weeks after the fire that devastated the LV18 we can now show some photos of the most severely damaged area, after they have been mostly cleared of debris.

From the quayside the worst area is clearly visible, concentrated around the starboard aft cabin area.

Within the ship, anything combustible was destroyed. This included cabins and all the electrical equipment.

The damage to the electrical systems was throughout the ship and every cable, socket and distribution panel has needed to be replaced. That included the studio, located in the ship’s lookout.

The studio was unusable until just a few days before the broadcast. Every item of equipment was damaged beyond use due to the smoke.

Most of the studio vinyl collection was damaged beyond use

Essex Police have opened a criminal investigation into the fire.