Royal Navy warship HMS Kent returned to its home port of Dover on Monday as one of its final stops before Christmas.

The Type 23 frigate, which was described as happy but capable by commanding officer, commander Dan Thomas, will remain in the town for three days.

It is the first time the ship has returned to Dover since 2012.

Commander Thomas said: “We are here today (Monday) to bring the ship back to where it rightfully belongs. We’ve come up from Portsmouth.

"We’re here for three days. I’ve got 200 really excited men and women who form my ship’s company who are looking forward to exploring Dover and the surrounding areas.”

On Monday, the crew will enjoy a bangers and mash meal at the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club in Deal with the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men.

On Tuesday, they will host a VIP lunch inside the ship’s wardroom for dignitaries including Admiral of the Fleet The Lord Boyce, the Mayor of Dover Chris Precious, head master at Dover College Gareth Doodes and chairman of the Association of Men of Kent and Kentish Men Carol Stickler, from Deal.

In the evening, members of the crew will perform a resilience and capability demonstration, inviting up to 200 guests on board.

They will be treated to an air defence exercise and displays of navigation and damage control, to show how the Royal Navy fits into the modern world.

Commander Thomas said: “Guests will be able live it, see it and breathe it and understand what we are doing.

“It always finishes off with a ceremonial sunset, which is a traditional ceremony where the flag gets hauled down, accompanied by music.”

On Wednesday, HMS Kent’s rugby team will go up against Dover Sharks at Crabble Athletic Ground in Crabble Road, at 7pm.

Commander Thomas said: “It should be good. We’ve got a really great team. We’re practically unbeaten.

“We try and play sport as much as we can. It’s what ships do around the world. If people are not playing they should be supporting.”

HMS Kent was built on the Clyde and launched in May 1998 by Princess Alexandra. Since 2010, it has carried out two back to back Gulf deployments.

Commander Thomas, who joined the ship in July, described the vessel as fantastic.
He said: “It’s a really happy ship. That’s the first impression that everyone gets when they come on board, but we’re also very capable.

“I have 200 professional, capable and intelligent people on here, which makes my day abundantly easy to get through.”

The ship also has around 30 trainee engineers on board.

HMS Kent is one of the most advanced class of ships in the Royal Navy and carries out numerous roles in national and international waters. The week before last it was in Rotterdam.

Commander Thomas said: “We’re in our home port this week. We then have a week of training before a couple of weeks off for Christmas.”

The warship's 2016 programme sees it sail to the Mediterranean and hopefully return to Dover in October.

The public can view HMS Kent from afar but will not be able to go on board for security reasons.

It will sail from Dover on Thursday.