Female officer gets top naval job

The 47-year-old will take up her post in June

The Royal Navy has appointed a woman as the commodore of a naval base for the first time in its history.

Captain Carolyn Stait is set to take up the top post at HM Naval Base Clyde at Faslane in Scotland in June.

The base is home to many of Britain's nuclear warheads and is the headquarters of the Royal Navy in Scotland.

The 47-year-old, from Fareham, Hampshire, currently works at HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

A Royal Navy spokeswoman said: "Captain Stait is delighted to be coming to Faslane in this post.

"Since the integration of the Wrens into the Royal Navy, women have been progressing through the ranks.

"We are delighted that Captain Stait has reached the rank of commodore and will be the first female to take charge of HM Naval Base Clyde, or indeed any naval base."

Captain Stait will be in charge of 7,000 staff when she arrives at the base.