HMS Ocean sets sail for Plymouth today after an historic visit to the North-East.

Yesterday, 5,000 visitors were allowed on board Sunderland's adopted warship, the biggest in the Royal Navy.

People were able to inspect the Sea King helicopters, view cabins, climb ladders and fire the guns.

Children had their faces painted in camouflage colours by the Royal Marines.

Captain Tony Johnstone-Burt said: "We have had a fantastic visit. It has been absolutely tip-top. It has been fantastic to get people on board and great to see their smiling faces."

The ship docked in the region on Saturday in time for the Sunderland International Air Show.

On Monday, the crew and the ship were given the Freedom of the City and 250 sailors paraded through the city in their uniforms with bayonets fixed.

Capt Johnstone-Burt said the visit had further cemented links between the city and the ship.

He said he could tell people were passionate about having HMS Ocean as their adopted ship and because of its maritime history.

Capt Johnstone-Burt said: "It is deep red passion like that of the furnaces of the shipyards back in the 1840s heyday.

"It will be sad to leave and the boys are already asking when we can come back.

"It has been really emotional because people were cheering so much we felt as if we had just come back from winning a war."