Warship HMS Bristol returns to Tyneside for repairs

The warship was built at Swan Hunter shipyard in 1969

A Tyneside-built former warship is returning to the North East for a major refit, securing 100 jobs.

HMS Bristol was built at Swan Hunter shipyard in 1969 and the MoD wants to get a further 10 years' service from the Falklands War veteran.

A&P Tyne in Hebburn won the contract in August and the Royal Navy training ship will arrive shortly.

The six months of work will include repairing and replacing decking and carrying out steel repairs.

It will also include installing new firefighting detection systems and emergency escape routes.

A spokesman for the shipyard said: "A&P Group Ltd is delighted to announce the impending arrival of HMS Bristol.

"The work results from a competitive tender issued in August and we competed against six others to win this important MoD contract to extend the service life of the ship for another 10 years.

"The contract will involve upgrading facilities in line with health and safety standards."