In pictures: Recovery of HMS Nottingham

The damaged British destroyer HMS Nottingham has begun its journey back to the UK three months after it ran aground off Australia's east coast.

The Royal Navy warship was taken to Sydney Harbour for recovery after she tore a hole in her hull on rocks

HMS Nottingham was gently nudged into position to be placed on top of the 'mother ship'

The salvage ship had water pumped into its tanks to sink it beneath the waterline

The Swan was more than able to take the 3,560 tonnes weight of the destroyer

Water was pumped out of the MV Swan's tanks forcing the ship to rise with the destroyer on its back

A 14-strong crew will now join HMS Nottingham on its return journey to the UK on Sunday, weather permitting.

The £300m vessel nearly sank when she tore open her hull on a well-charted rock in the Tasman Sea

The full extent of the damage to the hull was revealed during the recovery operation