TWELVE students from Darlington got an insight into naval life when they visited the south coast as Royal Navy guests.

Six engineering students and six students from the uniformed services, with their tutors from Darlington College of Technology, travelled to Portsmouth and Gosport for a three-day visit.

They stayed on HMS Bristol, a retired destroyer berthed off Whale Island in Portsmouth harbour as part of the Schools Acquaint programme.

The students visited HMS Sultan, where they toured the Sea King helicopter workshops and learned about survival techniques, weaponry and the radar and communications systems.

Tours of HMS Victory, Portsmouth harbour and the submarine museum at Gosport were also on the agenda.