THE Royal Navy's newest patrol vessel is making a special visit to Inverclyde.

It will be the first time HMS Clyde will have visited her affiliated area of Inverclyde since her launch in 2006.

The 2200-tonne vessel will soon head for the South Atlantic to patrol the waters in and around the Falkland Islands, where she will remain permanently.

HMS Clyde, which will be berthed at Customs House Quay in Greenock from tomorrow until Tuesday, will host visits from a numbers of groups including council leaders, local schools and youth organisations.

The public will get to look around the ship on Sunday between 1pm and 4pm.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Simon Hopper said: "As this is our affiliated regionI hope to establish relationships with people and organisations with whom we can keep in touch while we are on patrol."

Some of crew will spend the afternoon at Sir Gabriel Wood Mariners' Home in Greenock, tending to the gardens and sharing sea tales with the residents.