Veteran Royal Navy destroyer HMS Newcastle is enjoying a high-profile sunset to her distinguished Naval career.

Just back from a seven-month NATO deployment to the Mediterranean, where she took part in the global war against terror, Newcastle will shortly make the short hop along the Solent to the prestigious Southampton Boat Show.

The so-called Geordie Gunboat was one of three Type 42 destroyers earmarked to be pensioned off under the recent Government defence review – sister ships HMS Glasgow and Cardiff will also be decommissioned.

Despite being in the latter stages of her career, Newcastle was worked extremely hard during her final tour of duty, working alongside other NATO warships in monitoring the movement of merchant vessels.

Members of her ship’s company investigated 731 ships during the deployment, but only needed to board two for closer inspection. Nothing suspicious was found in either case.

Apart from keeping a close watch on potential terrorist trafficking routes, Newcastle also made visits to the Black Sea to work with the navies of Bulgaria, Ukraine and Romania, and dropped in on the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Kuban.

The Russians were delighted with the visit by the Royal Navy, with the British sailors finding themselves on national TV.

The decision to pay off the ship – she is due to decommission in her home port of Portsmouth in the New Year – came during the last days of her deployment.

Her Commanding Officer, Cdr Jeremy Blunden, said the announcement was not unexpected and understandable, given the RN’s need to focus on new technology, but nevertheless sad for her 260-strong ship’s company.

“It is sad since Newcastle is a fine ship with a fine ship’s company. We have to face the fact that she is getting old and no longer offers all of the capabilities that the Royal Navy needs in the 21st Century,” he said.

“I suspect HMS Newcastle’s final deployment will go down in history as one of her best. We have visited 20 different ports in 10 countries all over the Mediterranean and Black Sea, and enjoyed an excellent balance of work and play.”

Beyond hosting various dignitaries and media events while in Southampton, the ship will be open to visitors throughout the boat show – from September 10-19 – and be dressed overall for the duration.

Once the show ends, Newcastle will head for her namesake city to pay an emotional final visit.