Shipyard praised by navy chief

The landing assault ship HMS Albion, is due to leave the Cumbria shipyard for commissioning into the Royal Navy at Devonport on 28 February.

The project is six months behind schedule, but Captain Peter Hudson, says sea trials have been successful.

The news comes as the BAE Systems yard hopes to secure part of a multi-billion pound order for the UK's new generation of aircraft carriers.

Captain Hudson said: "The ship is much better than expected.

"She performed exceptionally well in trials and there are no major issues and we are confident we have a ship that is robust and reliable."

But Martin Arter, BAE System's programme director responsible for 18,500-tonnes Albion and sister ship Bulwark, admits there is still work to do.

And he says this may have to be done while the vessel travels to Devonport

He said: "It is a much more effective way of doing things if we can hand the ship over to the Navy so training can continue while we do what we need to finish our work."

'Finish training'

It is not yet known whether HMS Albion will be sent to the Gulf if the UK goes to war with Iraq.

Captain Hudson, who will command a crew of 350, added: "The focus at the moment is for the work to be completed and the crew to finish their training.

"It is for the commander in chief and Ministry of Defence to decide how they employ the ship.

"However, it is fair to say we are some way from being fully operational yet.

"More than 60% of the equipment on the ship is new to naval service.

"Achieving operational status by the end of July will be challenging enough."