HUNDREDS of well- wishers gathered in bright winter sunshine yesterday to see HMS Monmouth honoured with the freedom of the town after which she is named.

Monmouth mayor Councillor Susan White bestowed the honour on the frigate and her crew with a presentation to her captain, Commander Guy Haywood, in a prestigious ceremony outside the town hall.

Councillor White paid tribute to the crew in presenting a scroll to Commander Haywood, marking the freedom of the town, saying it was "in recognition of the historical association" between the town and ship.

Dressed in full uniform and with bayonets fixed, the hundred-strong crew then marched through the town with the Royal Marines' band accompanying the parade, while cheering crowds lined the streets.

Commander Haywood, a Gulf War veteran, said: "We are extremely honoured to have been given the Freedom of the Town of Monmouth.

"It is a mark of the strong relationship that exists between the town and the ship, and is one I hope continues for a long time."

Commander Haywood added that his visits to the town were greeted with "unfettered joy".

The ceremony was followed by a church service at St Mary's Parish Church, and a reception.

HMS Monmouth is also known as the Black Duke, and is a Royal Navy Type 23 4,500-tonne frigate. She is the seventh HMS Monmouth, carrying on a tradition that stretches back to 1666.

The ship's crest features the Monnow Bridge and has recently had a multi-million-pound refit. She docked in Cardiff, and will remain there for the rest of the week before returning to her home port in Devonport, Plymouth, on Monday.