Servicemen from HMS Sirius, a Leander-class frigate built in Portsmouth dockyard, enjoyed several laughs as they recounted tales of their days on the ship's first commission during the 1960s in the South Pacific.

Ian Grant, 78, travelled more than 3,500 miles from his home near Toronto, Canada, to join in the reunion.

He served on the previous HMS Sirius, a Dido-class light cruiser, in 1948 and had heard about the reunion on the internet.

He said: 'She was the most beautiful ship you have ever seen.

'I even have a painting of the ship in my bedroom.

'Coming here today has been terrific. I am tickled pink.'

Also at the get-together at the Royal Maritime Club in Queen Street, Portsmouth, was Peter Grimshaw, 65, from Bournemouth.

He said: 'It was a very happy ship. We have been talking about all the old crew.'

HMS Sirius was decommissioned on February, 27 1993, and in 1998 was finally sunk as a target in the Atlantic Ocean by the submarine Spartan, ending a truly illustrious career.