Royal Navy says 'no decisions' made over fate of frigate HMS Westminster

The Royal Navy says "no decisions have been made" about HMS Westminster, following reports her repairs are proving too expensive to justify and her planned refit has been suspended.

The Type 23 frigate has been in Devonport since October for work aimed at keeping her in service until at least 2028.

Launched in 1992, HMS Westminster is the oldest vessel in the class still in use by the Royal Navy.

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A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "Refit programmes are constantly reviewed to balance availability against value for money. No decisions have been made about any particular unit."

HMS Westminster is known throughout the Royal Navy as 'the capital ship'.

The vessel underwent an extensive refit in 2014, receiving a new principal weapon - the Sea Ceptor surface-to-air missile system.