BORING beetles have infested important oak beams set to be used in the build of the replica Mayflower Ship.

Bosses at the Harwich Mayflower Project have been forced to scrap the keel timbers, delivered in 2012, after finding Ambrosia beetles had burrowed inside.

In a monthly newsletter, project manager Andy March said: “This is very bad news in that the oak now has a significant number of pin holes, which will weaken the structure, and as a result these timbers cannot be used for the intended purpose."

The charity has now been forced to shell out on replacement wood to keep the build on schedule.