Reporter James Hardaker was a special guest on board the Navy warship HMS Cottesmore as it dropped anchor near Skegness.

The Skegness Standard reporter was invited on board by the Mayor of Skegness, Coun Brian O’Connor, who organised the ship’s visit to the Lincolnshire coast.

It is unusual to see ships inshore at the east coast, and onlookers headed to the beach as it headed to the resort on its final voyage before being decommissioned.

James, pictured above with commanding officer, Lt Dan Knight, said: “I went aboard the warship HMS Cottesmore to cover its visit to Skegness and interviewed the captain.

“It was quite an accolade for the town and the paper.”

The Wash is known for its sandbanks and shipping hazards, and officer of the watch Lt Merlin Miall said the voyage had been a challenge to plot because beach rebuilding had dramatically changed the shape of the seabed.

Coun O’Connor said the visit – watched by onlookers who lined the beach to get the best view of the ship – was a rare treat for a town like Skegness.

“In the past Skegness has been neglected because we haven’t got a harbour,” he said.

“I see it as part of my responsibility as mayor to lift the profile of Skegness.”