A FORMER Evesham man has been handed the honour of captaining the world's most powerful warship, built at a cost of more than six hundred million pounds.

Commander David Shutts will lead a crew of 230 on board the Type 45 destroyer, HMS Daring, launched on February 1 by The Countess of Wessex.

The vessel will officially come into service in 2009 and Cmdr Shutts admitted he was proud to be chosen and was excited at being at the helm of the new ship.

He said: "HMS Daring brings a level of capacity that we have not seen yet in The Royal Navy. It is the biggest escort class ship we've built since the Second World War.

"And from the full spectrum of activity, complete support right through to intense war fighting, this ship brings something bigger and better than we've seen before."

Over 11,000 people turned out to watch the launch of HMS Daring onto the River Clyde in Glasgow while brass bands played and crew members waved at the visitors as the ship touched the water.

The ship has been designed to defend UK forces from air attacks. Weaponry on board includes a Principle Anti-Air Missile system which will provide cover for hundreds of miles around.

Secretary of State for Defence, John Reid, who attended the event, said: "HMS Daring is the most powerful destroyer the UK has ever built. The launch of this first Type 45 is a milestone in the development of the Royal Navy of the future.

"It is proof that the Government gives our sailors the tools they need to do their job now and in the future."

The ship has been moved a few hundred yards down the Clyde to a dry dock where the remainder of the work will be carried out, making it ready for action in three years time.