A FAREWELL ceremony was held as HMS Penzance set sail from Faslane for the final time.

Dozens of military and civilian personnel attended a ceremony on board the last Snowdown-class Minehunter, celebrating the ship’s 25-year presence at HM Naval Base Clyde.

During the ceremony, the Captain of the Base, Elaine Boyd, said: “For over 28 years, there has been a permanent presence of Mine Countermeasure Vessels at HM Naval Base Clyde, and today, HMS Penzance sailing marks the final departure.

“Mine warfare will continue to be part of Clyde’s story and today I would like to thank HMS Penzance for her contribution to this and for her 25 years of dedicated service.”

Launched in March 1997 by Princess Michael of Kent and commissioned a year later, HMS Penzance served with the Royal Navy for 25 years.

During this time, the vessel completed numerous deployments including an operation in the Gulf where the ship spent a total of 7,500 hours at sea and sailed over 34,000 miles.

HMS Penzance will now enter her final docking period in Rosyth.