FORCES sweetheart Nell McAndrew paid a flying visit to the North East where she was surrounded by sailors.

The blonde delighted sailors on board the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal.

Commander Johnathon Stamper, 33, guided the model around the vessel, which was built at Swan Hunter's shipyard in Newcastle.

Aircraft mechanics Mike Lee, 27, of Wigan, Lancashire, and Dave Hill, 20, of Livingston, Scotland, were photographed with the former Lara Croft model.

Mike said: "I was in bed and my mate shook me to wake me up and said 'wake up, Nell McAndrew is here'. I thought I was dreaming, but there she was."

Dave said: "She was really sound, the officers were trying to hurry her along, but she took the time to speak to everybody."