HMS Newcastle returned to the North-East yesterday for an emotional farewell following an illustrious career on the high seas.

The vessel, known affectionately as the Geordie Gunboat, docked for the final time in the city of its name and the river on which it was built more than 30 years ago.

The arrival of the Type 42 destroyer, greeted by crowds lining the banks of the River Tyne at dawn, heralds a week of activities in which the crew will affirm its affiliations with the city and will welcome visitors.

The ship will be decommissioned in January and probably sold for scrap, although its final destination is still uncertain.

The highlight of the visit will be tomorrow when the ship's company will exercise its final Freedom of the City.

Led by the HM Marines Band, the crew will march through the city centre in a parade starting at 10.30am, at the Guildhall.

Ship captain Commander Jeremy Blunden said: "This is a particularly special visit for the ship, since it is our last visit home and the occasion on which we will be returning the Freedom of the City.

"We hold in high regard the city from which we take our name and have been fortunate to have enjoyed such strong connections with the city, its residents and organisations with which we have been affiliated.

"I hope that many people will take the opportunity to come and see the ship and come on board while we are at Spillers Wharf."

The ship is the Royal Navy's longest-serving destroyer of its type and was laid down by Swan Hunter in Wallsend, in 1973 and launched in 1975.

Commissioned in 1978, it is the eighth ship to bear the name Newcastle.

There are no immediate plans to give another Royal Navy ship the name.

HMS Newcastle will be open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, with access at the Quayside.

On Sunday, 20 runners from the ship will join in the Great North Run, including ten running for the ship's charity, the Percy Hedley Foundation.

The Red Arrows team is also expected to give the ship a last salute, at a time yet to be confirmed.