CROWDS watched as a giant saw ripped through a tree trunk to create the first pieces of a historic replica ship.

Mayflower Project bosses are recreating the famous Mayflower ship, which hailed from Harwich and sailed to America in 1620.

The project took a giant leap forward at a special ceremony, where the first pieces of wood were cut to create the ship’s keel.

Project training manager Jeff Webber said: “This is the first major step for us in building the ship.”

The ribbon has also been cut on the Mayflower Project’s newly completed training centre.

Full story in this week's Standard