Last updated 11:25, Wednesday, 12 November 2008

HUNDREDS of people flocked to see Barrow’s affiliated Royal Navy ship.

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HMS Walney visit to Barrow. Donna Cullen shows Leira Keene the bridge controls during the tour of HMS Walney. Saturday 8th November 2008. CHRIS WARNER REF: 0458101

By Jon Simpson

More than 400 members of the public toured the minehunter HMS Walney when it was open on Saturday, and 150 school pupils and students aged from nine to 18 toured the vessel yesterday.

The 40-strong crew, who include Leading Seaman Dick Barton from Walney, believe their latest visit to the town has been a big success.

Lieutenant Commander Tim Green, skipper of HMS Walney, said: “The public loved touring the ship. I have had no bad feedback at all.

“Local people have been thoroughly impressed with the ship and the ship’s company, and we have been very impressed with them. It’s been a delight to see them.”

HMS Walney was expected to spend an extra day in Barrow today sheltering from storms. The ship, which is made of plastic to make it less vulnerable in mined waters, recently returned from a multi national operation in Iraqi waters in which it and ships from other countries, cleared an area the size of the Isle of Wight of mines.

It allowed fishing boats and merchant ships to use the area again and reduced the cost of Iraqi marine insurances.