COUNTY Durham's adopted Royal Navy ship is to return to the UK after rescuing thousands of British nationals from war-torn Lebanon.
Command carrier HMS Bulwark played a major role in the evacuation of about 4,400 British nationals last month after they became trapped as Beirut was pounded with Israeli rockets.
The amphibious assault vessel carried 1,300 UK citizens from the city on a 12-hour journey through the Israeli naval blockade to safety in Cyprus.
The 20,000-tonne ship was scheduled to return home last month from Barcelona after spending seven months in the Gulf successfully completing her first major deployment.
The vessel was diverted to the Mediterranean to carry out the humanitarian duty. Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious and warship HMS Gloucester were also involved in the mass evacuation.
Bulwark and her sailors were praised by evacuees for their hospitality and kindness.
Bulwark will now return to the Devonport Naval Base, in Plymouth, next Tuesday.
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