FOR eight months they have been parted from their loved ones, only able to keep in touch via a quick phone call or email.

But yesterday the sailors aboard HMS Southampton had an emotional reunion with wives, husbands, and partners as the ship returned home from an eight-month-long tour of the South Atlantic in time for Christmas.

Crowds lined the quayside at Portsmouth Dockyard, waiting in nervous anticipation as the Type 42 destroyer made its way slowly into the harbour shortly before 10.30am.

Cheers went up and flags waved as the ship's 250 crew, lined up proudly in full Naval uniform, to set foot on British soil for the first time since March.

The vessel visited 14 countries during her deployment and took part in large-scale exercises with forces from Chile, the USA, France and Argentina.

For three of the ship's crew, coming back to Southampton really did mean coming home.

Lieutenant Commander Phil Ponsford, from Catisfield near Fareham, said he was looking forward to spending time with his wife Georgina.

Lt Cdr Ponsford, second in command on HMS Southampton, said: "It's brilliant being home, but it's a very strange feeling because we left so long ago.

"It has not really sunk in yet.

Deputy weapons engineer Lieutenant Christian Emery was met on the dockside by his wife Sarah.

"It feels wonderful to be home, absolutely marvellous," said Lt Emery, of Highclere Road, Weston, Southampton.

For the full story, see today's Southern Daily Echo.