HMS Montrose makes final journey into Portsmouth ready for decommissioning

HMS Montrose has arrived into Portsmouth for the last time ahead of being decommissioned next month.

Over nearly 30 years, the Royal Navy's Type 23 frigate has travelled more than 400,000 miles and taken part in naval operations globally.

The warship and her crew have now arrived back at her home port, having visited her affiliated hometown of Montrose in Angus for the final time.

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HMS Montrose was initially designed as a fast manoeuvrable vessel required to scout ahead of the main fleet.

More recently, HMS Montrose has been deployed to the Gulf as an escort vessel and has seized more than 16 tonnes of illegal drugs – with a value of more than £111m – over 10 narcotic boarding missions.

Crowds of well-wishers and family and the friends of the crew turned out to welcome her home into Portsmouth.

Montrose will be decommissioned next month to make way for the Royal Navy's latest Type 26 and Type 31 frigates.