THE Royal Navy's flagship leaves the region today after its latest visit renewing friendships in the North-East.

HMS Invincible sails from the River Tyne at North Shields, North Tyneside, where it has been based during its five-day stay to maintain its links with its adopted city, Durham.

The Invincible's company has taken part in a number of engagements on board and in the Durham area, since the ship berthed at the Tyne Commission Quay last Friday.

Functions have been held at both the town hall and elsewhere in the city, while civic delegations have also visited the ship.

The ship's commanding officer, Captain Trevor Soar, helped to start Durham's Great River Wear Duck Race, on Sunday, while crew members who played golf were invited to a round by members at Durham City Golf Club, at Langley Moor. A party of 200 crew members also sampled night life in Durham at the weekend.

Among the last events on land yesterday were football matches between Invincible crew members, students and former professional players.

The sailors took on teams of male and female students from New College Durham, in fun games at Chester-le-Street's Riverside sports complex.

Later, Invincible's first team faced up to Durham City AFC XI made up of many former professional players from across the North-East.

The match, at City's Archibald Stadium, helped to raise funds for the Mayor of Durham, Councillor Ray Gibbon's Charity Appeal Fund and for the city's St Cuthbert's Hospice

On board the aircraft carrier, the Invincible held a career's convention aimed at attracting graduate engineers, doctors, dentists and submariners to the Royal Navy last night .

The Invincible will now resume its leading role in naval maritime operations.