Page last updated at 15:59 GMT, Tuesday, 3 February 2009

Ark Royal to sail off after visit

HMS Ark Royal
The Ark Royal is to sail to Portsmouth for a refit

HMS Ark Royal is due to leave North Tyneside following celebrations to mark its anniversary.

The Royal Navy's flagship vessel was built on the Tyne 30 years ago at the Swan Hunter shipyard in Wallsend and launched by the Queen Mother.

The 20,000-tonne warship has been open to the public for five days at its berth at Northumbria Quay.

On Tuesday it is due to sail to Portsmouth for a refit before resuming its role as the UK's strike carrier.

Aircraft carriers are the largest ships in the Royal Navy's fleet.

It is the second time the Ark Royal has visited Tyneside in a year.

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