NEW state-of-the-art premises at Portland's flagship Sailing centre have been officially set in stone

Double Olympic medallist Simon Hiscocks helped apply the final sliver of cement to the inscribed foundation stone of the newly-built Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy headquarters.

The ceremony marked the start of the closing stages of the academy's £7.85 million development, which is due for completion early next year.

Academy staff will move into the new harbour-side building next month. It will also house changing rooms for able-bodied and disabled sailors, lecturing halls, sports medical, training and catering facilities.

Engineers will finish landscaping the rest of the site at Osprey Quay during the winter.

Academy chairman Bill Ludlow paid tribute to the builders Dean and Dyball, who have enabled manager Phil Gollop to continue operating throughout construction.

Weymouth-based 49er sailor Hiscocks, 31, who added an Athens bronze to his silver medal from Sydney, said it was an honour to see his name carved in Portland stone.