THE CREW of HMS Ledbury has returned to the recently re-fitted "Hunt" class minesweeper, after serving on board HMS Chiddingfold as a temporary measure.

HMS Ledbury, a veteran of the Falkland's War, is returning to the fleet after a significant and major refit "including re-propulsion using modern diesels to replace the aging Deltic engines".

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "Ledbury is the fifth Hunt class to be blessed with this new lease of propulsive-life, after HMS Chiddingfold, Hurworth, Middleton and Cattistock."

The crew of HMS Ledbury was granted the Freedom of the Town in 2007 and the crew has exercised the right since then, on several occasions, to march through the town.