An image of how the new Mary Rose Museum will look when it opens in autumn 2012 has been unveiled by the Mary Rose Trust (MRT) and architects Pringle Brandon.

Located at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the new attraction will feature a walkway that will enable visitors to view the hull of Henry VIII's former flagship.

Work on the preservation of the ship's structure will enter its final stage later this year, when the polyethylene glycol sprays used to conserve the timbers are turned off.

A five-year process of drying out will then begin, with visitors able to look into a 'hotbox' with ducting running throughout. The hull will be made entirely visible in 2016.

MRT head of conservation Professor Mark Jones said: "Our visitors in 2012 will be able to see this final phase of conservation by looking into a hotbox and seeing both the ship and the process for removing the 100 tons of water the timbers now contain.

"This should all be gone by 2016, when we can take away the hotbox and reveal the ship completely."

A building designed by Wilkinson Eyre is being built around the Mary Rose, with Warings appointed by the trust to deliver the construction phase of the £35m scheme.

Image: Pringle Brandon