HMS Ledbury is about to return from operations in the Gulf to a warm welcome in Portsmouth.

The minesweeper, which left the UK on January 20, will be met at Portsmouth by the mayor and mayoress of Ledbury, coun Keith Francis and Pam Juckes, and a delegation from the town council.

The council party will board the ship at Spit Head for passage into harbour.

HMS Ledbury finished the war with the highest tally of Iraqi mines destroyed, helping other UK and US minehunters to clear a route through the Kaw Abd Allah waterway to the key port of Umm Qasr.

Since the end of the Iraq War, Ledbury has collaborated in exercises with the Saudi navy and carried out defence diplomacy.

She left Muscat, Oman, in late June, rounded the Arabian peninsula and went through the Red Sea and Suez before reaching the historic port of Valetta on Malta.

While on Malta the crew took part in a charity rowing race, covering 10,000 metres in 34 minutes and nine seconds, raising £545 for Cancer Care UK.

On leaving Valetta, the crew were able to pay tribute to the late Lieutenant Commander Roger Hill DSO DSC. Lt Cdr Hill was the commanding officer of the former HMS Ledbury when Malta 1942 was added to its battle honours.

The ship played a key part in the success of Operation Pedestal, the convoy to relieve Malta against heavy opposition. Ledbury propped up the crucial tanker Ohio after it was hit and helped it reach the Grand Harbour.

Lt Cdr Hill's ashes were scattered in the harbour last year but the ship's company were unable to attend.

"It was therefore most fitting that they could pay their respects to this old warrior on a return journey from active service," said a spokesman for the ship.

The Malvern Gazette & Ledbury Reporter will carry a special report on the final week of operations and the ship's return to Portsmouth.

Deputy Editor David Edwards will be joining the crew in Gibralter on Sunday.