Blue skies and glorious sunshine greeted the ship’s company of HMS Manchester when they exercised the freedom of the namesake city.

The 230 sailors left their warship in the Canada Dock in Liverpool and headed east for high-profile ceremonials in the city of Manchester.

The Freedom of Manchester was bestowed on the destroyer six years ago, when the city was still in the process of rebuilding following the terrorist bomb which ripped the heart out of the city centre.

Now the area around Manchester’s Cathedral has been transformed, as the ship’s company found out when they participated in a Sunday service with a maritime theme, led by the Cathedral’s Dean, the Very Rev Ken Riley.

The ship presented the cathedral with a White Ensign which will hang there in perpetuity.

Freedom grants the ship’s company “the privilege of marching through the city with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed”.

The Band of the Royal Marines and the North-West Infantry King’s Band joined sailors and officers as they marched through the streets, ending up outside Town Hall, where Lord Mayor Cllr Audrey Jones took the salute.

The ship’s company of the destroyer - known as the ‘Busy Bee’, a nickname taken from her badge which echoes the city’s crest, signifying Manchester’s industry and hard work – spent five days in the area, giving them a chance to renew old affiliations and to enjoy themselves as well as take part in official ceremonies.

The sailors handed over £3,000 to the Wallness Children’s Charity, money which will be given to Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The money was raised by a string of fund-raising activities aboard the ship, which most recently deployed to the West Indies on anti-drug patrol.

The most eye-catching event was a beard-growing contest, involving every man on board.

A one-day amnesty at the end of the contest gave crew licence to shave their beards any way they liked – with some strange results.

“The ship’s company has thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to re-visit Manchester,” said Commanding Officer Cdr Richard Ingram.

“We value our enduring relations with the people and organisations of Manchester and relished the warm welcome and generous hospitality that the ship received here.”