A PIECE of maritime history linking Redcar with its adopted warship from the Second World War has brought back memories for a man who served on the vessel.

George Wanless, 84, yesterday presented a plaque bearing the crest of HMS Skate to Kirkleatham Museum in Redcar.

Alan Pearce, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's museums curator, and Gerry Judge, of the Royal Naval Association's Redcar branch, organised the presentation.

Mr Wanless, a former chief petty officer, said of the ship: "I don't have very good memories of her, I'm afraid. It was a pig at sea and it was alive with cockroaches. I was just glad to get away from her."

The ship was built on Clydebank, Glasgow, and commissioned on January 11, 1917.

Its link with Redcar was established in 1942 during Warship Week, when the Mayor of Redcar wanted a ship associated with his name, so Councillor William Arthur Place chose HMS Skate.

Museum curator Alan Pearce said: "The plaque will fill an important gap in Redcar's maritime heritage and we are looking forward to promoting its arrival."