The landing ship entered service in 1964 but really made her name serving in the Falklands War of 1982.

When Argentina invaded the South Atlantic islands she was actually waiting for the scrapheap here but in a mad scramble she was readied for service in just a fortnight.

She set sail for the staging post of Ascension Island with only one engine running and her disbanded crew was replaced with a patchwork staff.

But the Junta headed by General Galtieri would come to regret not targeting Intrepid during the war, as she was a key part of the landings at San Carlos.

Along with HMS Fearless, her design meant thousands of sailors, soldiers and airmen could be part of the invasion.

The amphibious landings were made possible by both ships and without them a whole new battle plan would have been needed.

After the war Intrepid returned to Portsmouth and instead of retirement she was revamped and carried on in service until 1999.

George Heron, a radio operator on Intrepid in 1982, said: 'She was a fantastic ship and is held in high affection by a lot of people.

'Her normal ship's complement was 600 but during the war she steamed in with more than 1,200 servicemen.'

That is why feelings are running high about her planned departure on Wednesday.

Mr Heron said: 'There will be a lot of sad faces at the Round Tower when she finally leaves Portsmouth.'