CIVIC leaders in Liverpool last night welcomed the news that such a major part of the Royal Navy’s fleet would be affiliated with the city.

Liverpool City Council leader Cllr Warren Bradley said: “It’s fabulous for the City of Liverpool to be recognised by the Royal Navy in this way.

“We always want Royal Navy ships to be affiliated with Liverpool so it’s great news.

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Steve Rotheram, said: “HMS Liverpool has only got three or four years left so it’s right that we should have some sort of replacement affiliated to the city.

“For it to be one of the biggest ships in the Royal Navy fits in nicely with what Liverpool is all about.

“It’s also appropriate for the Navy to recognise Liverpool’s naval links and maritime history.”

Cllr Phil Davies, deputy leader of Wirral Council and a non-executive director of The Mersey Partnership, said: “This is really good news for Liverpool and the whole city region, to have such a prestigious Royal Navy vessel with a national and international profile associated with our region.

“One of the Partnership’s core roles in the region is to promote it for investment and something like this is going to be brilliant for helping us attract more interest in the area.”

peter.elson