HMS MONMOUTH will no longer be available for members of the public to visit tomorrow (Saturday 19th March).

The ship is arriving in Cardiff a day later than previously thought due to operational delays.

A spokesperson for the Navy vessel said: “The Royal Navy warship HMS Monmouth will arrive in Cardiff Docks tomorrow (Saturday) for a six-day visit – a day later than expected.

“Therefore, the ship, due to arrive this morning will no longer be open to visitors by members of the public tomorrow as planned, due to external factors beyond the control of the ship.

“The captain and ship’s company had been eager to invite members of the public to visit their frigate, but the delay means they are sorry there is no longer time available in their busy remaining programme for the tours.”

The ship will berth alongside Britannia Quay in Cardiff from tomorrow early evening, where it will have the chance to provide demonstrations to a variety of invited guests, local affiliated organisations and visitors onboard.

These visitors include Haberdasher’s School for Girls, the Royal Naval Association, The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, Monmouth and Monmouthshire Councils, and local Sea Cadet Corps.

While the public will no longer be able to visit the ship, they will still have the chance to witness the ship’s company exercising its traditional Freedom of the Town of Monmouth with a military and civic ceremony on Sunday at 2.30pm in the time-honoured fashion, by marching with bayonets fixed and colours flying.

The parade will take place through the town centre and through the Monnow Bridge which forms the centrepiece of the design of the official ship’s crest.

The ship sails from Cardiff on Thursday (24th March) to return to Plymouth to conduct routine maintenance ahead of intensive operational training in the summer.

A friendly football match scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon between Monmouth Town FC and the crew of HMS Monmouth has been cancelled. It is hoped the game will go ahead on Tuesday instead. To be confirmed.