The mine warfare experts serving in HMS Brocklesby have been busy over the past six months detecting and disposing of ageing bombs from the Second World War.

They will be greeted by the Royal Navy's Second Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan Massey, when they arrive in the Solent.

Their busy deployment has seen them work in the Mediterranean, North Sea and Baltic.

Admiral Massey will join the ship in the Solent tomorrow morning before witnessing her return to the home of the 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron in Portsmouth Naval Base.

Lt Cdr Tom Tredray, commanding officer of HMS Brocklesby, said: 'Deploying as part of the Nato Mine Countermeasures Group has been an excellent opportunity to work closely with our allies.

'We have made some good friends over the last six months and operated successfully from the Baltic to the Mediterranean. Through our work to dispose of explosives left over from the Second World War, we have also helped to make the seas around Europe safer for everyone, especially fishermen.'

Family members and navy colleagues from the Portsmouth Flotilla will welcome the ship home.

HMS Brocklesby's skilled crew found six aircraft bombs in the English Channel and North Sea.

Disposal teams had to raise three of these from the seabed while manoeuvring them clear of underwater pipelines before defusing them.

The team also worked in the Mediterranean during the Nato exercise Loyal Mariner.

The ship returns to Portsmouth following a maritime exercise in the Baltic working alongside 50 other ships from various navies across the globe and Nato.

HMS Brocklesby and the frigate HMS St Albans also attended a formal wreath laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery to mark the sacrifice of sailors.

Lt Cdr Tredray laid a wreath on behalf of the UK at the German memorial to all those who have died at sea at Labooe, near the entrance to Kiel.

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