A CALL to active duty has forced the cancellation of a Royal Navy warship's visit to its adopted North-East city.

HMS Ocean has just returned from playing a role in the UK mission to help safeguard United Nations' personnel in the civil war-torn west African nation of Sierra Leone.

But it must now undergo maintenance, delayed by being diverted to join Britain's force off Sierra Leone.

As a result, the Navy has cancelled plans for the 21,000-tonne warship to berth in the River Wear, at Sunderland, on a goodwill visit to its affiliated city.

The Navy's first purpose-built amphibious helicopter carrier was to have visited over the weekend of the Sunderland International Airshow, on July 29 and 30.

HMS Ocean commanding officer, Captain Scott Lidbetter, said: "I know the ship's company were looking forward to the event and visiting our adopted city.

"Unfortunately, essential planned maintenance work has been delayed and now has to be rescheduled to allow us to take part in Nato training exercises in September."

Airshow coordinator, Sue Henderson, said: "Although it's a shame HMS Ocean won't be joining us, I'm sure the crowds will be thrilled by the superb flying programme."