PEOPLE took the chance to run the rule over the pride of the Royal Navy yesterday.
HMS Ark Royal, Britain's flagship in the recent campaign in Iraq, is renewing affiliations during a shore run on the River Tyne.
The Ark Royal - the last aircraft carrier built at the Swan Hunter yard, at Wallsend, North Tyneside - returned to the North-East last Wednesday after completing its deployment off the Iraqi coast.
On Friday, crew members headed south to Yorkshire to exercise their right to parade through Leeds, the ship's adopted city.
Many were back on board yesterday to welcome visitors to an open day on the ship at its berth at the Tyne Commission Quay, North Shields.
The aircraft carrier will become a recruitment centre for the Royal Navy today, when college students spend the day on board.
One group will help provide meals for the 600 crew, while others will take part in a simulated sea warfare exercise.
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