Navy base hosts three-day display

The Royal Navy is keen to promote its future warships

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on Portsmouth naval base this weekend for a special event about the future direction of the Royal Navy.

Over three days, people will see warships and witness dramatic displays, as part of Meet Your Navy 2008.

The base and the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, housing Nelson's flagship HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, will be the focus of the extravaganza.

Special zones will tell the story of the Navy's past, present and future.

Staff and entertainers will be dressed as Tudor and Victorian sailors in the Past Zone and there will also be displays revisiting the Navy's role in conflicts, including World War II and the Falklands.

In the Present Zone, visitors will be able to go on board several warships, including vessels from overseas navies such as Japan and Chile.

The Navy will display its future capability in the Future Zone with attractions such as models of the new Type 45 Air Defence Destroyer - currently conducting sea trials off Scotland.