Aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal has arrived in London at the start of a six-day visit to the capital which will see her host a series of events.

The 20,000-ton warship is anchored off Greenwich on the Thames for the visit, which among other things will see the launch of a development campaign for the 15,000-strong Sea Cadet Corps.

The Ark, flagship of the Royal Navy task force during the Iraqi conflict last year, has just completed exercises with both helicopters and Harrier aircraft in the North Sea, and made a rare foray through the Thames Barrier to her berth near the Cutty Sark.

She will provide a suitable venue for the Sea Cadets to launch a two-year development campaign to improve the facilities and broaden the opportunities open to the cadets in the Corps, the country's foremost maritime youth training organisation.

Throughout the visit several high-profile events will take place, aimed at raising awareness of the important role of the Sea Cadets and seeking new sponsors. The initiative is supported at the highest level by the Royal Navy.

The Princess Royal will be Guest of Honour at the inaugural reception on board Ark Royal today, when she will be met by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, and the Chairman of the Sea Cadet, Vice-Admiral Sir Jonathan Tod.

The Sea Cadets, whose patron is the Queen and whose Admiral is the Duke of York, have throughout their 105-year history provided a vital link with the Royal Navy, and hundreds of Sea Cadets go on each year to join the Service.

The final evening of the carrier's visit will see Ark Royal acting as backdrop for the launch of Blind Eye, the fifth book by John McLaren, chairman of the Barchester Group. The fictional story is set on board a Royal Navy aircraft carrier and, with the support of the Royal Navy, it is planned that the book will be made into a film later this year.