COMEDIAN and historian Tony Robinson had a cunning plan when he recently gave a show in Newport.

The actor, famous for playing Baldrick in the Blackadder series, squee-zed in a visit to New-port's medieval ship.

Tony, a keen archaelogist whose more recent TV work has focused on history in Timeteam, was thrilled to visit the 15th century ship.

He even sent a "thank you" postcard to the ship team, saying: "What an amazing and memorable time we had!

"I look forward eventually to seeing it restored in all its glory."

Kate Hunter, Newport ship project leader, said: "I heard Baldrick was going to be in town so I e-mailed his agent.

"Tony was enthusiastic about it but he only had an hour. I picked him and his partner up from the Celtic Manor and took them to the ship.

"He was asking proper archaelogical questions and he was aware of the construction techniques.

"We had a great time nattering away and I had to remind him to go to the Riverfront for his soundcheck."

A team of five is now working on analysing and recording the 1,700 timbers of the ship, which was found in June 2002 during the construction of the Riverfront theatre.

It lies in a warehouse in Maesglas and experts say it will not go on public display at the Riverfront for another decade.

Experts from Poland, the United States, Germany and Wales are working on the ship.

They are the first group in the UK to use "Faro Arm" 3D digital imaging technology in such a project. It allows the scanning of every timber in detail.

Ms Hunter said: "The work we are doing here sets the standard for the future. It's an incredibly important project that is known all over the world."