ROYAL Navy ship HMS Severn – which has been ‘twinned’ with Newport for 14 years – will pay a final visit to the city this week, before it is taken out of service at the end of the month.

The ship will be berthed at the Alexandra Docks and will celebrate its last visit by exercising its freedom of the city, with the crew set to parade through the city centre with bands playing, flags flying and bayonets fixed.

The parade will start at noon on Saturday, October 14, beginning in Cambrian Road.

It will then turn left into Bridge Street, then left again into High Street, and marching up to the D-Day Memorial, where a short service will take place.

The parade will then travel down High Street, cross Stow Hill and continue down Commercial Street to its junction with Charles Street and Llanarth Street.

Members of the public are invited to line the route to show their support for the crew of HMS Severn who have been affiliated to the city since 2003.

“We are sad HMS Severn, which has patrolled the shores of the UK for many years, is now being decommissioned,” said Newport council leader Debbie Wilcox.

“We have enjoyed a good strong friendship with the ship and its crew, and enjoyed its hospitality in the past. We wish the crew well in their future.”