THE mine hunter HMS Walney became a regular visitor to Barrow docks in the 1990s and always proved to be popular on open days when the public got a chance to have a look round and meet crew members.

It was built from non-magnetic reinforced plastic by Vosper Thorncroft and was launched on November 25 in 1991.

The Sandown-class vessel was 52.5m in length and could carry a crew of up to 40.

It made use of sonar and remotely-controlled submersibles to detect and dispose of explosive mines.

HMS Walney was retired in 2010 and the ship's bell was presented to Barrow's Dock Museum.

In October 1993 the mine hunter spent a three-day courtesy visit in Barrow Buccleuch Dock and returned in January 1997 — when crew members played soccer against the police and rugby league against Walney Central.

In 1994 HMS Walney was being lined up to be a floating ambassador for business enterprise in Furness — carrying displays and Furness products on its travel around the world.

The ship's captain, Lt Cdr Nick Stanley, toured VSEL and Oxley Developments and was presented with a sample of Ulverston-made Heron Glass.

He told the Mail: "We are going to investigate the possibility of using the ship for meetings when we are in foreign parts."

Stuart Klosinski, of Furness Enterprise, said: "HMS Walney will be working with us to represent local companies and carry their products."

In a January 1997 visit, officers hosted a cocktail party on HMS Walney for civic dignitaries and the ship's captain hosted a lunch for Mayor of Barrow, Cllr Steve Derbyshire.

The Mail, on January 20, noted: "The crew played football against Barrow police and also played rugby league against Walney Central during the flag-flying visit.

"The crew also visited the local community, going into town centre pubs and clubs, before weighing anchor and heading south to Portsmouth."

The first HMS Walney was a 2,000-ton gun boat built in 1930 and transferred to Britain for the Second World War.

It was sunk in the assault of Oran, on the coast of Algeria, during operation Torch on November 8 in 1942.