HMS Newcastle - the longest-serving surface warship in the Royal Navy fleet - takes her final bow today.

The Type 42 destroyer, which is nicknamed the Geordie Gunboat, paid a final visit to her adoptive home in the North-East last month.

Today, she will make her final entry into Portsmouth Naval Base.

The ship will end an illustrious 27-year career in the traditional way by flying a long paying-off pennant as she enters the harbour.

Over the years, HMS Newcastle has seen active service in all corners of the world, from tailing Soviet ships during the Cold War to helping with drug-busting operations in the Caribbean. She saw action in the Gulf War and during the conflict in Kosovo and during the 1980s helped rescue almost 250 foreign nationals from Aden following a coup.

Commander Jeremy Blunden, the ship's commanding officer, said: "It is sad to see HMS Newcastle bow out, but she has served the nation well over the last 27 years.

"She is a fine ship with a fine ship's company and many will look back at their time on board with a great deal of fondness."

In a final demonstration of the ship's affiliation with her home city, Commander Blunden will leave the ship on board a Newcastle Breweries classic deliveries lorry.