HUNDREDS of sailors are due to parade through Durham as they exercise their freedom of the city.

The Royal Navy warship HMS Bulwark, which is affiliated with County Durham, arrives at the Port of Sunderland on Wednesday, July 20, for a three-day visit to the area.

It will be the last time the Plymouth-based amphibious assault ship visits Durham for six years as it prepares to enter reserves.

On Friday, July 22, around 300 sailors and marines will march through Durham City, exercising the ship’s age-old right.

Councillor Edward Bell, chairman of Durham County Council, said: “The Freedom Parade is a great tradition between Durham and HMS Bulwark and it is with great pride that we welcome the ship’s company back to Durham.

“It is quite a sight to behold seeing the company parading from the racecourse through our historic city’s streets up to Palace Green and we hope that visitors and local people alike will line the streets of the city centre for this colourful parade, which always draws the crowds.”

The parade will see the streets of the city filled with marching bands and flying flags and will end in a service at Durham Cathedral.

Captain James Parkin, the Captain of HMS Bulwark said: “Bringing HMS Bulwark to the North East is like taking the ship home. Getting reacquainted with so many friends of the ship in Durham and then exercising the Freedom of Durham promises to make a very exciting and special week for everyone in HMS Bulwark.

“This will, of course, be the final time for some six years that HMS Bulwark will be able to visit the North East as we hand the baton of Fleet Amphibious Flagship to HMS Albion in 2017 before the ship enters reserve and subsequently refit.”

On Saturday, July 23, HMS Bulwark will take park in Sunderland International Air Show by putting on a display of its amphibious capabilities.

The ship will be stationed a mile off coast and landing craft will deliver Royal Marines and Viking tracked vehicles against an ‘enemy’ held artillery position.

After the Sunderland International Air Show, HMS Bulwark will return to Plymouth for leave and, in the autumn, will lead a joint expeditionary force exercise to the Mediterranean and beyond. HMS Bulwark will return to the UK before Christmas and begin handing over duties as Fleet Amphibious Flagship to sister ship HMS Albion.