THE Royal Navy's largest warship is due to visit its adopted city tomorrow (Friday, May 1) afternoon.

HMS Ocean will berth at Sunderland at about 3pm for its eighth visit.

Pilots are due to embark at about 1.30pm and she is due to enter the mouth of the River Wear an hour later..

She will be moored at Corporation Quay opposite the National Glass Centre

On Saturday (May 2) more than 300 officers and crew will mark their Freedom of the City by parading from Burdon Road at 11am.

HMS Ocean is also open to the public on Sunday and Monday (May 3 and 4).

Harbour Master, Captain Kevin Ullah, said: "Ocean’s arrival again demonstrates the capability of the Port of Sunderland to handle large ships - whether they are naval or merchant vessels.”

HMS Ocean's Commanding Officer, Captain Timothy Henry said: "HMS Ocean is the Royal Navy’s largest warship and so there is always a challenge manoeuvring the ship in tight navigational waters.”