HMS Ledbury, the minesweeper which bears the town's name, is about to go into dry dock for an engine refit.

The crew has the Freedom of the Town; but because the re-fit will take over a year, crew members will be posted to other Royal Navy vessels during the work, including to HMS Middleton.

Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes went to Portsmouth on Wednesday, December 10, for a meeting with the crew and officers of HMS Ledbury and for lunch on board HMS Nelson.

Cllr Barnes heard that HMS Ledbury is to have 'caterpillar engines' fitted, which will give the Hunt-class vessel a maximum speed of 15.5 knots and a minimum speed of 1 knot, which is useful in a mine-hunting situation.