A DELEGATION from the town has been briefed on the £20 million refit of HMS Ledbury, which could considerably extend the ship's active life.
The seven-strong party, led by mayor Keith Francis, visited Portsmouth on Thursday, January 22, where the ship's crew is based while the vessel is refitted at Rosyth in Scotland.
Coun Francis said: "It was a very good day and further cements the good relations with the ship, which we are building."
Modern equipment was being installed in the operations room of the ship, a mine countermeasures vessel. Its sonar is also being upgraded.
The refit follows HMS Ledbury's active service in the Gulf, where it was called upon to clear mines from seaway to the port of Umm Qasr.
Crew members, including Lieutenant Commander Peter Olive, will set off from Portsmouth on February 10 for a sponsored charity cycle ride to Ledbury.
They are due to arrive two days later, and Coun Francis plans to cycle up from Gloucester with them.
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