SAILORS on board HMS Illustrious are enjoying brighter surroundings thanks to a £17,000 revamp of their quarters.
The living quarters of junior members of HMS Illustrious’ crew have been decorated as the carrier was alongside in Portsmouth over the winter.
All 38 junior rates’ messes – the areas where sailors relax off-duty – have been revamped.
The ship was given a £17,000 grant from the Royal Navy’s Rebalancing Lives fund to make general improvements to the junior rates’ mess decks.
Leading Seaman Natalie Maw said: ‘The improvements were welcomed by everyone in the mess and they make a big difference to life aboard.
‘The pictures and cushions are particularly popular as they have brightened up the mess no end.’
All 38 messes on the ship received up to £500 to spend on items to improve their members’ quality of life when off duty.
The sailors were able to buy cushions, pictures, coffee machines, surround-sound music systems and even disco lights.
Since returning from the Mediterranean, where she took part in a major deployment in November, the helicopter carrier HMS Illustrious has been at home in Portsmouth undergoing maintenance.
She has now left the city to visit Liverpool.
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