ONE of the Royal Navy’s biggest warships is heading to the North-East next week.

Amphibious command ship HMS Bulwark will arrive off Sunderland on Wednesday ahead of the city’s annual international airshow.

On Friday, July 22 the ship’s company will exercise the traditional Freedom of the City of Durham ceremony, with 300 sailors and Royal Marines proudly marching through the city centre led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines.

For the following two days, HMS Bulwark will be stationed a mile off Seaburn Beach to take part in the airshow, when her landing craft deliver Royal Marines and Viking tracked vehicles against an “enemy-held” artillery position.

Captain James Parkin, the captain of HMS Bulwark, said: “Visiting the North East is always a delight and taking part in the Sunderland International Air Show, having just exercised the Freedom of Durham, promises to be a very exciting and special week for everyone in HMS Bulwark.”

• Operators of the Tyne and Wear Metro have announced they will be running extra services each day during the airshow.