A WARSHIP known affectionately as 'The Geordie Gunboat' will be returning to the North-East soon.

HMS Newcastle will be berthed at Newcastle's Spillers Wharf from June 19 to June 23, with an opportunity for the public to visit the ship from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday, June 22.

The ship last visited in September 2001 and has since completed a five-and-a-half-month deployment to West Africa, the Falkland Islands and the Caribbean.

Commanding Officer Commander Jeremy Blundell said: "This ship's company and I are very much looking forward to this visit - the first for some time.

"We have a tremendous affection for the city, not least because of the amazing welcome that we are always given.

"Commanding HMS Newcastle is made doubly special by the strength of her affiliation with the city."

HMS Newcastle is a Type-42 Destroyer. Built by Swan Hunter on the Tyne, she was commissioned in 1978 and has a complement of 250 sailors.