Two Type 42 destroyers are back at sea after long lay-offs.

HMS Glasgow had spent 12 months alongside in her home base of Portsmouth, having arrived in March 2002 expecting to undergo a six-month docking period for essential maintenance.

But this work was delayed, and Glasgow was placed at extended notice awaiting a suitable opportunity for the work to start.

Then her sister ship HMS Nottingham ran aground off Lord Howe Island during her global deployment last year, and Glasgow was the obvious choice to replace her in the Fleet while the stricken destroyer was repaired.

Plans were drawn up to get her back to sea as soon as possible, and an intensive two-month dry-docking period saw crew members and FSL workers working 16-hour days to get her ready.

On top of this, around half her ship’s company were nominated for Operation Fresco firefighting training and duties, but the ship’s docking period was completed on schedule.

She remained alongside as more of her sailors were called in to provide emergency cover for striking firefighters, although the intervals between strikes were used to train and prepare for sea.

Anticipated sailing dates were affected by new strikes, but she eventually sailed from Portsmouth at the end of last month.

Sister ship HMS Gloucester was out of the frame for slightly longer – she underwent a £24 million 15-month overhaul at Devonport, during which she was fitted with new engines, a more efficient fuel system and three new sewage treatment plants.

Her accommodation has also been refurbished and her weapons systems and sensors overhauled, and Gloucester is also the first of her class to have colour, flat-screen displays in her operations room.

She is now on a programme of sea trials which will culminate in her rejoining the Fleet in November, when she will be ready to deploy under her new Commanding Officer, Cdr Malcolm Cree.