Helicopter carrier HMS Ocean sails from Devonport today to relieve HMS Illustrious in the Middle East.

Ocean returned to Plymouth from Exercise Argonaut in November, having taken part in the major joint Service Exercise Saif Sareea off Oman, the biggest RN and Royal Fleet Auxiliary deployment since the Falklands.

On completion of the exercise, Ocean was due back in the UK for a planned period of maintenance, so aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious underwent an instant conversion to a helicopter carrier role, allowing Ocean to return home.

Ocean's Commanding Officer, Capt Adrian Johns, said: "We have been in our base port since mid-November with our families, and taken some well-earned Christmas leave.

"The ship's company has a proven track record for responding to changes to our operational programme at short notice.

"For example, not so long ago Ocean was redeployed to stand off Sierra Leone, and her presence was instrumental in restoring stability to that part of the world.

"Our programme for forthcoming months is fluid, and I have absolute confidence in the ship's company's ability to deliver whatever is expected of them."