HMS Iron Duke visited St Kitts and Nevis as part of the ship's ongoing north Atlantic deployment. The visit followed a busy period at sea, which included providing disaster relief to the islands of Grand Cayman and Turks and Caicos in the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

During the stay in St Kitts, some of the frigate's crew met the island's government and civil leaders.

But the main aim was for the ship to take part in the island's 25th anniversary of independence.

The ship was given the honour of providing an 18-man military guard and colour to march in the Independence Day parade in the Warner Park Stadium, alongside a fly-past of the ship's Lynx Mk3 helicopter.

The guard was inspected by the St Kitts prime minister, Dr Denzil Douglas, with The governor general, his excellency Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, taking the salute.

During the visit, sailors also helped with outreach programmes and took part in football and cricket matches.

HMS Iron Duke's captain, Commander Mark Newland, said: 'Support to the Caribbean has always been an important part of UK defence policy. I am really delighted to have brought HMS Iron Duke to St Kitts and Nevis.'

HMS Iron Duke has been deployed to the region since June and has been involved in counter-drugs work with the US Coast Guard among other duties.