Warship back home after action in Libya

The 4,900-tonne, type 23 frigate operated off the Libyan coast for three months, and for three consecutive nights displayed her firepower by destroying a gun battery outside the besieged town of Misrata.

She also fired star shells into the night sky to illuminate targets for Nato aircraft. These strikes on pro-Gadaffi positions destroyed a range of targets including rocket launchers, fuel dumps, ammunition stores, artillery batteries and command and control centres.

HMS Iron Duke had previously covered 38,000 nautical miles on her deployment.

But now out of harm’s way, she will receive a warm welcome when she arrives in King George Dock on Friday for a three-day visit.

After being greeted by the Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Coun Colin Inglis, the ship’s company will exercise its freedom of the city with a parade on Saturday, marching with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying, led by the Humberside Police Band.

Members of the public will have the chance to visit the ship on Sunday, from 10am to 4.30pm, to find out more about life on board.

Commander Nick Cooke-Priest, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, said: “It is a great honour to bring HMS Iron Duke back home to her affiliated city of Hull; we regard our affiliation as an important commitment to the people of the area and an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of life on board our ship.

“By engaging with the local community, our sailors have the opportunity to show the people of Hull their professionalism and purpose, in this rapidly changing world we live in.

“It’s also a great chance for the present ship’s company to repay the affection shown to our predecessors.”