'Save this Falklands ship for the future'
Veterans have called for a Falklands warship to be saved from the scrapheap.
The crew of HMS Exeter saluted the destroyer as she returned home to Portsmouth last month to enter what the navy calls 'extended readiness', meaning she is not likely to ever sail again.
Falklands veteran Derek 'Smokey' Cole said Exeter could be a great warship to save for posterity.
It comes as HMS Intrepid, which played a major role in the Falklands War, was due to leave Portsmouth for the final time today to be scrapped.
Mr Cole, chief executive of the Gosport-based Falklands Vet-erans Foundation, said: 'We raised enough money to build a lodge in the Falklands which showed it is possible to raise money if enough people support a cause.
'I am very sad that Intrepid is being scrapped but I can understand why certain ships are too costly or impractical.
'There is HMS Plymouth which has proved very difficult to preserve and to an extent it depends on how much support you have from benefactors.
'But then there is HMS Belfast which is a great Second World War example in London, and I would like to see something like HMS Exeter in Portsmouth to bring the Falklands War to life for future visitors.'
Mr Cole has expressed support for The News' Save our Ships campaign which aims to put pressure on the government to include vessels in a new heritage bill going through Parliament in the autumn.
This would allow some ships to become 'listed', like buildings.
'Ships like Intrepid could have benefited from having a legal status like an old house, though that always has to be balanced with what money is available,' said Mr Cole. 'If there is possible funding, having the law changed would make it easier.'
Many of those who served in Intrepid have come to Portsmouth to see her towed out of the harbour. She was due to leave the harbour on Wednesday morning but sea conditions meant the move was put back.
Intrepid was due to leave at about 3.30pm.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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