View slideshow

And this week's fair weather allowed work to take on a new phase with huge chunks of the ship being cut away.

Rosie Tapping, spokeswoman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "We are content with the progress that is being made concerning the salvage of the vessel, which is continuing steadily thanks to the fair weather and good team effort from the salvage and demolition workers."

Heysham-based demolition experts Hancock's Contractors were appointed in April to undertake the salvage operation after a series of different attempts to re-float the vessel failed.

Two months of efforts to move the Riverdance were sabotaged largely by bad weather.

Hancock's put together a detailed plan of action which has included removing the remaining cargo, before tackling the upper decks and finally the hull of the boat.

The work, being carried out between tides, is due to be completed by the end of June. Hancock's has pledged to reinstate the beach and Promenade once the salvage operation has been completed.

Riverdance has attracted thousands of people to the coastline at Anchorsholme near Blackpool since she ran aground on February 1 during a storm. Emergency services managed to get all crew and passengers safely off the vessel.