The "Dido" class was a class of sixteen light cruisers built for the British Royal Navy. The design was influenced by the inter-war light cruisers. The first group of three ships were commissioned in 1940, the second group (six ships) and third group (two ships) were commissioned between 1941–1942. A fourth group, also described as the Improved Dido, or the "Bellona" class (five ships), were commissioned between 1943 and 1944. Most members of the class were given names drawn from classical history and legend.