HMS Campbeltown returns

Campbeltown's crew will have a few weeks shore leave

Sailors on board frigate HMS Campbeltown were reunited with families and friends on Sunday when their vessel returned to Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth.

The crew on board the Type 22 frigate returned from a three-month deployment in the war against terrorism after setting sail in October.

The frigate has been working alongside other ships from foreign navies.

Campbeltown had relieved HMS Cornwall as the flagship to NATO's Standing Naval Force Atlantic.

The force, under the command of Commodore Richard Ibbotson, who was working from Campbeltown, has mainly been operating in eastern Mediterranean waters.

It was taking part in monitoring all shipping movements in and out of ports in the global war on terrorism.

Campbeltown's commanding officer, Captain Bruce Williams, said he was proud of his crew and of how they had coped with the long patrols.

The frigate will have a quick turnaround, as her crew will have just a few weeks shore leave before leaving for the eastern Atlantic in February.