THOUSANDS of families, friends and wellwishers packed Portsmouth harbour today to welcome home British sailors returning from wartime service aboard HMS York.
The destroyer was accompanying HMS Ark Royal into the historic naval port after four months of active operations in the war against Saddam Hussein.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and Rear Admiral David Snelson, the UK's maritime commander during the war, were preparing to welcome the two warships home.
A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: "It's going to be an enormous party. We've been getting ready for this for weeks."
In the Gulf, HMS York provided air and surface protection to UK and US Coalition forces operating in Iraq. She also acted as escort to ships, including Ark Royal, as they travelled close to Iraq.
HMS York, whose ship's funnel badge bears a red cross with lions passant from the York coat of arms, and her crew were granted freedom of the city in 1991.
The ship and her crew enjoy a close relationship with the city.
Updated: 10:54 Saturday, May 17, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article