The longest-serving woman in the history of the Royal Navy has retired from active service following a 34-year career.

Warrant Officer First Class Susan Morgan joined the Wrens at the age of 17 in 1978, serving on five overseas postings and three ships as a Royal Navy police officer.

Now retiring at 52, her last appointment was lead mediator and investigator for equality and inclusion issues at the Royal Navy command headquarters in Portsmouth, Hampshire, for which she was awarded the MBE in 2010.

The London-born sailor, who was educated in East Malling, Kent, and Manchester, but who now lives in Lee-on-the-Solent, said: ''I have had the most incredible career working with inspiring and amazing people.

''With a vocation of joining the police, establishing a career which included travelling the world was a dream come true.

''Naturally in some aspects I will be sad to leave; however, I have been preparing for life outside for the last two years, receiving advice and bespoke resettlement courses, so I'm now looking forward to new challenges and the next chapter of running my own business.''