Officers and crew members from HMS PRINCE OF WALES will be visiting Bristol in December to mark the ship’s affiliation with the city.

The aircraft carrier’s White Ensign will be “laid up” in Bristol Cathedral in a special Evensong service on Sunday December 12. Attending will be Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, who represents the Queen in the city; Commanding Officer Steve Higham and civic representatives from the City of Bristol.

An event when business leaders can meet with Royal Navy representatives from the ship is being organised by Business West for Tuesday December 7 at Ashton Gate Stadium.

Tickets are also on sale for a drinks reception and formal dinner on board the ss Great Britain in Bristol on Saturday December 11.

Mrs Peaches Golding said: “This affiliation with HMS Prince of Wales is important as it keeps Bristol’s maritime heritage alive. There will be a series of events in the city at the beginning of December. Arrangements are still being made but we are hoping that there will be some music from the Band of the Royal Marines and gig racing in the City Docks.”

HMS PRINCE OF WALES is one of the Royal Navy’s fifth generation aircraft carriers, one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.

Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches – and she holds 45 days’ worth of food in stores. She has a minimum crew of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.

Because of her size she is unable to come into the centre of Bristol but the Commanding Officer and crew see Bristol as an important part of its maritime links on shore.

A limited number of tickets for the formal dinner on the ss Great Britain are available by emailing  welcome@lordltbristol.org.uk by November 5.

Further information about the affiliation can be found at www.bristolaffiliation-hmspwls.com.