Many gathered at the Round Tower in scorching sunshine as HMS Brocklesby returned home shortly after 10am following six months at sea.

The mine warfare experts serving in the ship have been busy detecting and disposing of ageing bombs from the Second World War. Their deployment has seen them work in the Mediterranean, North Sea and Baltic.

The ship's crew found six aircraft bombs in the English Channel and North Sea.

HMS Brocklesby's return to Portsmouth follows an exercise in the Baltic working alongside 50 other ships from various navies across the globe and NATO.

Both HMS Brocklesby and Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans attended a formal wreath laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery to mark the sacrifice of sailors from all nations.

Lieutenant Commander Tom Tredray, the ship's commanding officer, laid a wreath on behalf of the UK at the German memorial to all those who have died at sea at Labooe, near Kiel.

>> Vote in our latest web poll.