A SWANSEA City season ticket holder yesterday sailed into town on the Royal Navy's newest warship.

Thousands of fans will be driving, walking or getting the train to today's big game against Manchester United.

But Swansea-born petty officer Craig Morris arrived in style as one of the 190-strong crew on board the 7,500 tonne HMS Diamond now in the Kings Dock for a three day visit.

The 39-year-old former Coedcae Comprehensive School pupil served on the HMS London in 1991 in the first Gulf War and has been with HMS Diamond for two years.

He now works as a training co-ordinator for fire fighting and damage control on board the ship and said: "This is a really proud day to be bringing the ship to my home town. It's days like today that top it all off. We go all around the world but for me it is days like today that are special."

The vessel, the most advanced class of warship in the fleet, will be open to the public from 2pm until 5pm today. Pupils from Glanymor School and Gowerton School as well as Sea Cadets from Port Talbot, Neath and Swansea will also have a chance to see the ship during her stay in Swansea.

HMS Diamond is more than 150 metres long and can travel at speeds of up to 30 knots.

The ship is now under going operational sea training involving an intensive period of drills and exercises designed to test responses to a variety of scenarios ahead of her deployment next year.

Crew member and former Pennard School pupil Sharlotte Rose Pape has been with the Navy for two and half years and said deployment was what she was looking forward to most.

The 21-year-old works in electrical warfare and said: "I love it. I just can't wait to go on deployment now."

The HMS Diamond is led by Commander Ian Clarke who served in Afghanistan in 2007 and on board the HMS Coventry in the Balkans in the mid 1990s.

Commander Clarke said: "This is a hugely sophisticated ship. "The biggest challenge has been taking a brand new ship from the builders yard and getting her ready for deployment in front line operations seven months from now."

rupert.hall@swwmedia.co.uk