A MUSEUM is playing host to an exhibition about a city's floating ambassador.

HMS Ocean, Sunderland's adopted warship, will be in town for this weekend's international airshow and will be given the freedom of the city on Monday. Sunderland Museum and Winter Garden yesterday opened an exhibition charting the nine-year relationship between the city and the vessel.

It includes photographs and letters about the vessel's construction, information about previous ships called HMS Ocean and memorabilia from Sunderland's previous adopted ship, HMS Arrow.

A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: "The ship has acted as a floating ambassador for the city, helping to promote positive images of Sunderland all over the world. During that time the ship's officers and crew have made a huge contribution to community spirit in Sunderland, linking up with local schools and community projects and taking part in a variety of fundraising projects to help good causes in the city.''

The exhibition runs for the next month and admission is free.

Published: 22/07/2004