THE former base of the Essex Yacht Club has sailed off into the sunset, bound for a new life in Poland.

The Bembridge, which was the base for the Leigh club for nearly 30 years has been sold to a Polish shipping company.

Its new owners plan to use the 1938 ship as floating offices.

It was sold by the club in 2004 and has since been moored on the Kent side of the Thames before being towed away from its mooring on Sunday by the Polish tug boat the Argus.

Barry Barnes, vice commodore of Essex Yacht Club, said: “All of us at the club have an affection for this ship, which we had as our headquarters from 1976 to 2004.

“I think the club has very fond memories of the Bembridge, which gave us many years of good service.”