HMS Intrepid makes final journey

HMS Intrepid leaves Portsmouth under tow for the last time

A former Royal Navy assault ship, which served during the Falklands War, has left a Hampshire port for the last time prior to being broken up.

HMS Intrepid - which played a key role during the war in the 1980s - was towed out of Portsmouth on Friday evening.

The Fearless class landing platform dock, which was decommissioned in 1999 after 35 years, is heading for a scrapyard in Liverpool

Former sailors gathered in Portsmouth as a send-off for the ship.

Joel Mundy, who served on her from 1980-82 and during the Falklands, said: "It's sad. It's hard to hard to see her go.

"I think she would have made a very good museum.

"When you fight in her and come back safely she has a special place in your heart."

Leavesley International was selected last year as preferred bidder for the task of recycling Intrepid, which contains about 40 tonnes of asbestos.

The vessel was replaced in service by the much larger assault ship HMS Albion.