A SEASIDE resort will bid farewell to its adopted naval warship today, ending links which stretch back 12 years.

HMS Fearless, a veteran of the Falklands and the Navy's last steamship, is saying goodbye to its affiliated town of Scarborough.

In what is likely to be an emotionally charged occasion, the ship's company, led by the Royal Marines Band, will exercise its freedom of the town by marching to the West Pier.

Once there, the captain, Commander Brian Warren, and Mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Sheila Kettlewell, will open the Seafest 2002 festival.

She said: "The weekend will be tinged with sadness as Scarborough is having to say farewell to our links with Fearless as the vessel is taken out of service."

Fearless was adopted in 1990, the latest affiliation in a series which started with HMS Scarborough and HMS Apollo.

At 2pm today, as part of the festival, the Fearless crew will take part in the traditional tug-of-war contest on the South Bay beach, as well as fielding a football team in a match against a town hall XI at Eastfield sports and social club.

During the Falklands War in 1982, Fearless was the command ship for the Amphibious Tank Force and led the way into San Carlos Water.

Later, Major General Moore set up his headquarters on board the ship and the initial surrender negotiations were conducted, with General Menendez, in the Commodore's cabins.