Mine countermeasures vessel HMS Cattistock has been formally accepted back into the Fleet following a £2.5 million refit.

A rededication ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base marked her return to service, with VIPs and friends and families of her 42-strong ship’s company in attendance.

Among the guests was a party of civic dignitaries from the ship’s affiliated village of Cattistock in Dorset.

The Hunt-class vessel was out of the front line for seven months during her refit at Rosyth, where work carried out included the installation of a new fixed firefighting system in the funnel and a more environmentally-friendly waste disposal system.

The junior rates’ accommodation has been refurbished and other equipment overhauled.

The ship’s Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Peter Aylott, said: “This is a key milestone in the ship’s history.

“While I am very proud of the ship and excited by the future, it is, of course, the ship’s company that make the real contribution in preparing and being ready to fight and win.

“This day features them rather than the ship.”

During the hour-long ceremony a guard of 12 ratings from the ship was inspected by Rear Admiral Roger Lockwood of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London.

The service of rededication was conducted by the Rev Terry Maze, the Navy’s principal Church of Scotland and Free Churches chaplain, while music was provided by the HMS Nelson Volunteer Band.

Cattistock will now undergo sea trials off the British coast, and in December is due to join the Royal Navy’s on-call force, ready to deploy anywhere at short notice.