Ship awarded freedom of town

HMS Monmouth was launched in 1991

The town of Monmouth has bestowed its greatest honour on the Royal Navy frigate that carries its name.

HMS Monmouth, also known as the Black Duke, was given the freedom of the south Wales town in a ceremony on Sunday.

Its captain, Commander Guy Haywood said it was "a huge privilege" and "a very exciting occasion" for the ship and its crew.

Monmouth mayor Susan White said the honour, which is being bestowed as HMS Monmouth sets out on a six-month tour of duty, was well deserved.

"They have very much been part of this town for as long as I remember," she said.

"They come to the town, they have friends in the town, and they come and help in the schools."

Monmouth mayor Susan White said the ship deserved the honour

She added that the honour gave the ship's crew some interesting rights.

"One of the funny throwaway things I know about the freedom is you are allowed to run your sheep up the street whenever you wish," she said.

"There may be crew members who have farming families - you don't know!"

Commander Guy Haywood explained the freedom of the town was the greatest honour the town could bestow upon the ship, which is the seventh warship named after the town.

"It really is something that will strengthen the bonds between the ship and the town," he said.

The crew are now allowed to run sheep down Monmouth's streets

Marlene Cooper, from Port Talbot, whose son Paul is one of the crew, attended the ceremony.

"It's a wonderful moment," she said.

"I know he [Paul] feels so honoured - we are so proud of him and his mates."

HMS Monmouth, which completed a major refit last April, is a Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate with a crew of 185.

The ship was built on the Clyde in Glasgow, launched in 1991 and commissioned in 1993. She has a ship's company of 185.