Poole’s own Royal Navy warship is determined to be a part of the celebrations of the Twin Sails Bridge this weekend.

HMS Cattistock is returning to the port just 10 months after her last visit and will be welcoming visitors on board.

The 750-tonne Hunt Class Mine Counter- measures Vessel will be tied up alongside Town Quay from today.

And the crew will be ensuring she is kept spick and span for a visit from the Princess Royal on Monday, for a reception with local dignitaries after she has visited the new bridge, hosted by Commodore Jamie Miller, Naval Regional Comm-ander for West England.

They will also be taking part in the bridge ceremonies on Friday, where music is being provided by the Royal Marines Band (Collingworth) among others and the party continues along the quay, with fireworks at 9pm.

Commanding officer, Lt Cdr Andy Ingham and the ship’s company will host a formal lunch for invited guests on Saturday, before inviting local students and cadets on board over the weekend.

However the highlight of the ship’s visit for local people is when the crew throw open the gangway on Saturday from 11am to 4pm and on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.

“I am very much looking forward to enjoying a visit to Poole, a town with so many connections with HMS Cattistock,” said Lt Cdr Ingham.

“It is an honour to be playing our part in celebrating the opening of the new Twin Sails Bridge and I look forward to hosting our invited guests during our stay here.

“We hope to welcome on board those from our affiliated villages to the north of the county, as well as the good people of Poole and Dorset when the ship opens to visitors.”

At 60 metres long HMS Cattistock is the largest warship ever constructed from glass reinforced plastic and carries a crew of 45, including mine clearance divers.