NEWPORT would become the centre of a national scandal if a ship found at a building site is not recovered and displayed, an expert claims.

Charlie Barker, managing director of Portsmouth-based Mary Rose Archaeological Services, said the ship was a treasure that could make the city world-famous.

The Argus revealed last month how the centre part of the ship had been uncovered on the site of Newport's new theatre and arts centre off Kingsway.

Tests have shown that it was built from timbers felled between September 1465 and April 1466.

It is planned that ten to 15 per cent of the timbers from the uncovered part will be excavated and retained for scientific analysis, with the rest being relocated, probably to a lake.

But there are no plans for timbers to go on display locally. The rest of the ship, which has not been uncovered, will be left undisturbed.

Now Mr Barker, whose company has worked on the Mary Rose and other projects around Europe, has said: "It is a fabulous treasure and it is going to make Newport world-famous. It has to be recovered because it is so important.

"If the Crown Jewels were there, would you bury them? "It would be a national scandal. It is a fantastic treasure." He said Newport would become "the laughing stock of the world" if the ship was not totally excavated.

Mr Barker said he would like to see the whole of the ship displayed in Newport. He said: "I know the arts centre is important but we can get the ship out of there quite quickly."

Ron Ingliss, Newport council's museums and heritage officer, said: "I think we have acted both responsibly and appropriately."

He said uncovering the rest of the ship would expose it to air, which could lead it to deteriorate.

Today the Arts Council for Wales and CADW, the Welsh historic monuments organisation, agreed to give £200,000 extra funding to complete excavation work on the ship.

Newport council had paid costs of around £250,000 for the first three weeks of the excavation. This new cash will allow that to be completed.

A special open evening has been arranged for today between 5pm and 7pm for the public to view the ship. Another open evening is due to take place at the same time next Wednesday.