Destroyer opens hatches to public

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HMS Daring will not be fully operational until 2011

HMS Daring, the Royal Navy's newest warship, has opened its hatches to the public in Portsmouth so visitors can see the navy in action.

The ship is the first of the navy's six new Type 45 destroyers and is due to enter service later this year.

The two-day event has been jointly organised by Portsmouth Naval Base and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Visitors will experience the modern navy as part of the Royal Navy Past and Present, a spokesman said.

The Portsmouth Historic Dockyard's weekend attractions will include interactive displays and simulators, along with the opportunity take the controls of a modern warship or go into battle with the Royal Marines, the spokesman added.

Robert Bruce, managing director of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, said: "This is the first time she has been properly opened to the public and I think they will be amazed.

"I think also there is a really good opportunity for the public to compare old and new."

HMS Daring will enter service at the end of this year, more than two years late and £1.5bn over the original budgeted cost.

Delay 'disgraceful'

However, it will not be fully operational until 2011.

Last month, Edward Leigh, chairman of the cross-party Commons Public Accounts Committee, described the delays to the warship becoming fully operational as "disgraceful".

Mr Leigh said this left worrying implications for the UK's air-defence capability.

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Quentin Davies, said the government would consider the committee's comments.

But he added the "government was disappointed" that the committee "does not recognise the extensive trials [of the warship] that have taken place".