ONE of the Royal Navy's largest ships has returned home to the Tyne.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fort George was built at Swan Hunter's yard, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, and launched in 1991.

A 36,580-tonne oiler/replenishment ship, she will berth at the Tyne Bulk Terminal, Jarrow, for a five-day visit to Tyneside.

She will be moored in the Tyne until tomorrow before heading for Glen Mallen, on the west coast of Scotland.

But the stop has been a bonus for North-East sailors on board, who will get to spend Christmas with their families.

Second Officer Estelle Allison, 26, from Consett, said: "It's great to be back in the region around Christmas time. Even though we will be in Glen Mallen, most of the crew will be able to get home for Christmas.

"Thirty per cent of the 133-strong crew are from the North-East, so it is really nice for us all, as we can show our friends and families the ship that we live and work on."

The crew distinguished themselves in 2000 when the vessel was dispatched from operations in the Arabian Gulf to the East African coast to bring aid to flood-stricken Mozambique.

The RFA Fort George, using her five helicopters, helped distribute food, water, medical supplies and relief stores.

The Fort George will be going to Norway for Navy exercises in the New Year and to the US later in the year.