The Cutty Sark Trust, the charity charged with preservation of the iconic 19th century vessel, has spoken of the "devastation" of those involved in conservation work on the national landmark after the early morning blaze.

Police are treating the fire on the ship, in dry dock at Greenwich, south-east London, as suspicious and are examining CCTV footage and appealing for witnesses.

Officers are waiting to hear from the fire service about when the ship will be declared safe to gain access to the vessel.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who formed the Cutty Sark Society in 1951 to ensure the preservation of the ship, will visit the wreck of the ship later.

He has been president of the Cutty Sark Trust, successor of The Cutty Sark Society, since 2000.

Meanwhile, a fundraising web page for the public to donate money to help restore the stricken ship has been created.

JustGiving.com has set up the page in association with The Cutty Sark Trust - www.justgiving.com/cuttysarkfire

Details of how to donate are also available on the Cutty Sark website at www.cuttysark.org.uk

It is thought the fire will add millions more to the £25m bill for conservation work under way on the ship, which has been closed to visitors since last November. The trust had already raised £18m towards the tally before the blaze but has warned the £7m shortfall now looks "significantly larger".