A WARSHIP which has special links with the region docks in Portsmouth today after a six-month tour of duty in which the crew saw action in the Gulf.

HMS Richmond put to sea in February, originally on routine Nato patrol, but the Type 23 frigate was reassigned to the coalition force preparing for action against Iraq.

Her duties included escorting HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean, helping to provide covering fire for Allied ground forces as they swept into Iraq and to board any suspect vessels which may have been breaching UN sanctions.

HMS Richmond was fired upon at the height of the battle; a land-launched missile was aimed at the ship but fell short of its target before the crew had to activate their defences.

The commanding officer Commander Wayne Keble, said he was proud to have led the ship through the conflict.

"It has been a great honour to lead my people during such a challenging deployment," he said.

"We are all now looking forward to spending some well-earned time with our families and, in some cases, meeting newborn babies for the first time."

HMS Richmond has been adopted by the North Yorkshire market town of the same name and the crew make regular visits to the region.