MORE than 300 officers and ratings from Sunderland's adopted warship HMS Ocean will parade through the city centre.
The freedom parade, at 11am on Saturday, May 2, is part of a Bank Holiday visit by the Royal Navy's largest warship.
HMS Ocean and her crew were granted the Freedom of the City in 2004 and she last visited in May 2012.
The ship is due to arrive at the mouth of the River Wear on the afternoon of Friday, May 1, and leave on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 5.
She will be berthed at the Port of Sunderland's Corporation Quay and will be open to the public on Sunday and Monday, May 3 and 4.
Sunderland City Council Chief Executive Dave Smith said: "By exercising the Freedom of the City, there's an opportunity for everybody to show their appreciation and how proud Sunderland is of its links with the Royal Navy."
The ship's crew are taking part in the Sunderland Half Marathon on Sunday, May 3
The ship is open to the public on Sunday, May 3, between 1pm and 6pm and on Monday, May 4, from 11am to 5pm.
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