HMS Penzance visit cancelled amid storms

HMS Penzance had been scheduled to spend four days in Cornwall

Bad weather has led to the cancellation of a visit by the Royal Navy's HMS Penzance to its namesake town.

The ship was due to arrive in Penzance on Friday in support of the Cornish town's Remembrance Sunday events.

The minehunter has been stuck in the French port of Cherbourg for several days due to stormy weather and has now been re-tasked.

Commanding officer, Lt Cdr Steve Brown, said it was unfortunate the visit had to be cancelled.

"The ship's links with the town of Penzance and Remembrance Sunday are both very important to the ship's company," he said.

"I do hope it will not be too long before we can return to visit our affiliated town."

The ship has been linked to Penzance since it was launched in 1997.

The minehunter is one of the most expensive warships in the world, with a glass-reinforced plastic hull which allows her to sail into mine-laden waters.

Teresa Fogarty from Penzance Town Council said it was both "very disappointing" and "totally understandable".

"Everyone was very much looking forward to the four-day visit," she said.

"Unfortunately, we're only too aware that you can't control the weather."

She said HMS Penzance had previously docked in Falmouth in bad weather, to allow the crew to attend the Remembrance Sunday events.

"Sadly, however, the weather forecast is too awful to even attempt that this time," Ms Fogarty added.