TWO Navy warships nudged gently into their berths in the shadow of Newcastle's Tyne Bridge yesterday afternoon.

On board, the crews prepared for a few days leave in a town renowned for its warm welcome.

But there was a sense of poignancy too as most of the sailors from HMS Richmond and HMS Hurworth were aware it would also be a farewell.

A new bridge is to be built upstream and, although the city will have a monument to mark the millennium, a lower span will mean most Royal Navy vessels will no longer be able to sail six miles inland to moor in the heart of Newcastle town centre.

Visits in the past have included open days and there have been queues along the quayside, but Petty Officer Dale Huntley, who was born in South Shields, said he found that easy to understand.

"The North-East has a maritime heritage and I'm certain there's still a lot of pride in the warships, which have been built here. It may also explain the welcome we get in Newcastle, which is a very special place,'' he said.

However, the next few days have also been set aside by HMS Richmond to refresh its links with the North Yorkshire market town of the same name.

The mayor and mayoress are guests at a reception on board tonight, while some of the crew will be manning a market stall in the town centre tomorrow.

Air and Army cadets and local schools have also been invited on board, while teams from the ship will take on Richmond clubs at football, hockey, golf and rugby.

The ship also opens to visits from the wider public from 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

Richmond may be miles from the coast but ship's captain, Commander Alistair Adams, said links with inland communities were as vital as with the ports.

"I think we have to project ourselves, especially in these days of closer co-operation with the other armed services. Taxpayers contribute to all three and we need to stay in touch with the community,'' he said