A NORTH-EAST built supply ship for the Royal Navy has returned to port for the final time ahead of its retirement following 43 years of service.

The RFA Gold Rover flew a paying-off pennant as it sailed into Portsmouth Naval Base ahead of its official end-of-service ceremony on March 6.

The vessel, operated by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), has supported drugs busts, humanitarian relief missions and sea rescues as well as carried out its role of replenishing the Navy’s fleet during its decades of service.

The single hulled tanker, which has replenished 8,256 ships at sea, makes way for the double-hulled RFA Tidespring and its three sister ships - Tiderace, Tidesurge and Tideforce.

Commodore Duncan Lamb, head of the RFA, said: “This is a significant period in the history of the RFA and perhaps a moment to reflect as we reach the end of the Rover Class.

“It is also an opportunity to look to the future at the Tide Class ships. These versatile and hugely capable new vessels will significantly enhance the global operational output currently provided by the RFA.”

RFA Gold Rover, the last of the Rover Class small single hull fleet tankers, was built at Wallsend in Newcastle by Swan Hunter in 1971.