WW2 shipwreck 'SS Richard Montgomery' has been left undisturbed in the Thames for the last 78 years - after running aground and sinking 1.5 miles north of Sheerness, Kent back in August 1944.

The doomed American liberty ship was carrying a large quantity of ammunition, some of which was removed, before the ship eventually sunk with 1400 tonnes of explosives still onboard, which is why authorities had previously decided it was safer to leave alone ... until now.

This is because recent surveys have indicated the condition of the ship is worsening, and if the masts were to collapse, the entire wreck could explode. The UK's Royal Navy has been put in charge of overseeing a two month operation to cut the masts off, with work expected to start in June this year.

Contractor Briggs Marine has been appointed to undertake the work at a cost of £4.6 million under the Royal Navy's supervision.

Footage shows the three masts captured at low tide (0.5 metres) in this morning's (January 7) winter sun from Sheerness.