HMS Southampton's visit to city is cancelled
10:21am Monday 3rd March 2008
THE visit of warship HMS Southampton to its home port has been cancelled due to a last minute change in the ship's schedule.
The Type 42 air defence destroyer had been due to berth in Southampton for the first time in 15 months this morning for a two day stay in the city.
The ship, which has a crew of 275, was deployed for the majority of last year around South America and in the South Atlantic.
Royal Navy spokesman Simon Smith said the visit had been cancelled due to other commitments within the fleet.
He said: "Unfortunately, due to a routine short notice change in her schedule, the ship's visit to Southampton has been cancelled.
"These visits are always important to home cities but we can't say whether or not she will return to Southampton any time soon."