Visitors flock to Navy Days
Thousands of people have descended on Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard for the start of this weekend's Navy Days event.
The queue of people snaked from the dockyard gates all the way back to Gosport ferry.
A samba band played lively music to greet the crowds as they came in.
It is expected that between 6,000 and 8,000 people will visit the event today and get their chance to meet the ships and the service personnel that make up the modern Royal Navy.
The flagship event is expected to attract 30,000 people over today, tomorrow and Sunday.
Royal Navy sailors are looking forward to the event which will include the navy's newest warships - the Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Argus will also give visitors a rare glimpse below decks of a floating hospital.
Deputy naval base commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said: 'I think it's a bit like getting married.
'There's a lot of planning and organisation and closer to the day you start to get nervous.
'But I'm confident that at 10.01am when the gates are open everybody will be having fun.
'They are going to be really good days.'
Naval airmen Carl Darnley, 23, and Aaron Jones, 26, will be onboard RFA Argus to answer questions and take part in firefighting displays.
Carl from Cosham said: 'I've got friends and family coming. It will be nice for them to see what we do.'
Portsmouth-born Aaron added: 'I haven't done Navy Days before so I'm not sure what to expect. I'm looking forward to it.'
The event comes as the government considers budget cuts for all three military services on its strategic defence review (SDR).
Captain Lemkes said: 'I suspect the great majority of people on the ships know the SDR is going on, but they're getting on with their jobs.
'The more senior people do worry about what will happen. But we know there are financial difficulties.
'There has been a number of cuts in the years I've been in the navy and despite that we're doing a good job and we'll continue to do so.'
Visitors will also be entertained by spectacular military displays including aerial ballet from the Black Cats helicopter display team, a traditional field gun competition and daring fast-roping displays over the harbour by the Royal Marines.
The attractions of the Historic Dockyard will also bring 800 years of naval history to life.
Managing director Robert Bruce said: 'It's important for the public to see the historic side of the navy alongside the Royal Navy today.
'It will be an enormous boost.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
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