Military enthusiasts are hoping to restore a World War II tank after it spent decades at the bottom of a river until it was discovered earlier this year.

Footage shows the remarkable moment the T-34 tank was pulled from its watery grave by members of the Russian military.

Divers discovered the tank by chance at the bottom of the river Don, in the Voronezh Oblast region of south-western Russia, last April.

The tank was discovered by chance by divers last April after spending decades at the bottom of the river

Military enthusiasts are hoping to restore the T-34 tank to running condition and put it on public display

It is believed the tank was produced at the Stalingrad Tractor Plant, which was converted for military purposes at the height of the war.

Later, the plant was the site of fierce fighting during the Battle of Stalingrad.

The tank was pulled out using an armoured recovery vehicle, but it was no easy task. The tank is estimated to weigh around 30 tonnes and was 23ft below the water's surface.

It is not known how the tank ended up in the river but it is believed it fell while it was being transported to the other side, possibly over a temporary bridge.

Experts did not immediately remove the tank because they wanted to make sure that it did not contain soldiers' remains.

It is believed the tank was produced at the Stalingrad Tractor Plant, which was later the site of a fierce battle

Experts did not immediately remove the tank in case it contained the remains of Russian soldiers

It is believed the T-34 tank fell into the river, possibly while it was being transported over a temporary bridge

The tank will remain at the Patriot Park near Moscow once it has been restored, said park officials

Other sunken military artefacts were found nearby, including pontoons, transport vehicles and small vessels.

The tank will remain at the Patriot Park in the region of Moscow Oblast, in western Russia, once it has been restored.

Anatoly Kalemberg, an official with Patriot Park, said: 'If it is restored externally, this won't be difficult and won't take much time as it has remained in a very good condition.