Freedom of city for HMS Endurance

Hundreds of people turned out to watch the ceremony in Portsmouth

HMS Endurance - the Royal Navy's ice patrol vessel - has been given the freedom of the city of Portsmouth.

The ship, known as the "Red Plum" because of its colour, has recently returned from a nine month deployment in the South Atlantic.

The ship has also been involved with a world-wide weather recording project run by the Meteorological Society.

The event on Saturday included a traditional ceremony, an inspection of the crew and a march through the city.

Lord Mayor Mike Blake said: "The ship has become well known recently as a television star appearing in BBC South Today special reports from Antarctica.

"Her home port is Portsmouth, so she is very much 'our' ship."