Royal Navy workhorse HMS Albion comes home to Plymouth for possibly the final time

Royal Navy workhorse HMS Albion has returned home to Plymouth for possibly the final time.

The assault ship has completed six years of intensive operations around the world and now hands over duties to sister ship HMS Bulwark.

The amphibious vessel's crew was welcomed home by family and friends aboard after a mission to the Baltic with a stop in Den Helder to mark the 50th anniversary of the UK Netherlands Amphibious Force.

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HMS Albion's specialist role is to bring Royal Marines ashore, using landing craft and raiding boats.

The ship has spent recent years leading the Littoral Response Group (North) – a force able to deploy across Europe and react to crises and world events.

'Littoral' refers to working in coastal regions, which is crucial in getting troops, resupplies and munitions from sea to shore.

The work can involve shoreline reconnaissance, inland reconnaissance, delivering lethal strike teams to land, securing an area for humanitarian missions. Operations can be highly dangerous.

Over six years as a UK and then amphibious flagship, Albion worked with Nato allies and partners to promote peace and stability and strengthen international bonds.

The ship's company has visited countries including Sweden, Estonia, Norway, Netherlands, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Finland - more than 45,000 miles along the way.

The past four months of their recent deployment saw 350 personnel on board eat through 30,000kg of potatoes, 5,000 chicken breasts, 500 litres of mayonnaise and eaten over 50,000 eggs.

Commanding Officer, Captain Marcus Hember, said: "It was a pleasure and a privilege to welcome The Princess Royal back on board Albion after what has been a demanding operational programme over the past 12 months.

"Our operations have been at the forefront of the UK contribution to Northern European security at a difficult time, working alongside partners and allies.

"At this end of this intense operational period, it was great to welcome friends and family on board for the final leg of our deployment before my people return home to enjoy some well-earned rest over the summer period."