ONE of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's newest ships has been off Dorset for sea trials.

RFA Largs Bay - a new type of landing ship - has been using Portland as a trials base before joining the operational fleet.

The 16,190-tonne landing ship dock (auxiliary) vessel can transport up to 32 Challenger 2 main battle tanks or 150 light trucks.

Largs Bay is the second of four Bay Class landing ships.

Its sister ship Mounts Bay also did sea trials off Portland.

Third ship Cardigan Bay has been accepted off contract and will soon begin trials.

Fourth vessel Lyme Bay is still being built by BAE Systems and will be ready in 2007.

The LSD (A) vessels are designed to transport troops, vehicles, stores and equipment a third of the way around the globe at 15 knots before refuelling.

They are designed to hang back over the horizon until the first assault wave is ashore then reinforce them with a second wave with little or no support.

Each Bay Class ship has steerable propellers (rather than rudders) to ensure maximum manoeuvrability, as well as a floodable stern dock for landing craft.

Largs Bay is just one of more than 50 warships and naval auxiliaries to have berthed at Portland this year.