PRIDE and pageantry are set to accompany the borough's adopted warship when she sails into Great Yarmouth for only her second visit since affiliation.

Dependent on operational priorities, HMS Dauntless will arrive 'home' next month to cement a 'strong and vibrant' relationship which began almost three years ago.

The powerful destroyer whose first deployment was to the simmering South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands is planning a raft of charitable acts and civic engagements.

A spokesman for the Royal Navy said it was too soon to release full details of the visit, scheduled for the first half of next month, but that preparations were going on behind the scenes.

It is understood she will be sailing to Yarmouth from Portsmouth and the visit will include a parade. Her new commander Adrian Fryer said the ship was undergoing a period of maintenance and a crew change.

He said: 'The ship has an impressive array of liaisons that appear to be strong and vibrant and this is something I am keen to see continue.'

He added he was looking forward to meeting friends and affiliates and hoped as many local people as possible would involve themselves in the visit and 'their' ship.

Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council Trevor Wainwright said the visit would boost morale and lift local pride.

'We are very pleased it is making a return visit and immensely proud. We will do everything we can to make the visit as successful as the last one. It is really good news for the town.'

The Type 45 destroyer is the fifth vessel to carry the Dauntless name and her prime role is air defence, protecting against enemy aircraft and missiles.

When Dauntless first visited in October 2010 thousands of people turned out to greet her. Bus loads of people took the opportunity to go on board and see first hand the sophisticated gadgetry that sets new standards in air defence.