THE CREW of Durham's adopted warship was busy making up for lost time, renewing acquaintances in the city last weekend.

Operational duties prevented HMS Invincible from making goodwill visits for four years, so the latest short stay, berthed in the River Tyne, was long-awaited.

While thousands of members of the public took the opportunity to cast an eye below decks on the 20,000 tonne aircraft carrier, many of her 1,200-strong crew were on shore leave sampling the night-life.

There were also a number of events to maintain the affiliation between Invincible and its adopted city, including a challenge cricket match with the Mayor's XI and a charity football match at Durham City's New Ferens Park ground, last Saturday.

A Sea King helicopter from Invincible provided the pre-match attraction, before the game between the crew's team and a North-East veterans' XI, including ex-Newcastle stars Alan Shoulder, David McCreary, Archie Gourlay and Billy Askew, former Sunderland players Mick Horswill and Paul Atkinson, and former Hartlepool player Brian Honour, and manager Mick Tait.

Refereed by Alan Wilkie, of Chester-le-Street, who took charge of the League Cup final at Wembley in February, it was an evenly matched game with the experience of the former pros proving too much for the enthusiasm of the Invincible crew XI.

The North-East old boys took the honours 2-0, but the Samaritans of Durham, one of Invincible's chosen charities, were the winners, presented with the match takings by the ship's captain, Rory McLean.

Other members of the crew brought delight to younger members of the community in Durham, throwing a party for youngsters in ward ten at Dryburn Hospital.

Those well enough visited the helicopter pad at Durham Police force playing fields to watch a Sea King land.

Other events at the weekend included a civic reception at the Town Hall and a thanksgiving service at Durham Cathedral.

The visit was rounded off with a volleyball match between a crew team and a side selected from staff at Durham City Council, at Tynemouth on Monday