Historic warship from Norway sailing into region

A HISTORIC Norwegian warship will be sailing into the Tyne this weekend and bringing a rare opportunity for the public to step on board - for free.

- BARBARA HODGSON

The S/S Hestmanden is coming to Newcastle as part of a month-long voyage across the North Sea to mark the 80-year anniversary of VE Day and for one local man its arrival will have a very personal significance.

The ship is the only surviving cargo vessel from the wartime convoys of both the First and Second World War, helping secure the Allied victory, and Chris Flanighan from Wallsend has a family history with connections to that time with his late grandfather, Karluf Thorsen, having been a Norwegian sailor and part of the convoys supplying the British war effort. In a tribute to his grandfather and to a shared legacy, Chris is invited to be a special guest at a parade of sail being organised by Newcastle's Maritime Volunteer Service to welcome the warship's arrival around 4pm today and escort it from North Shields to the city.

The vessel then will be open to visitors from Sunday and during the rest of its stay which lasts until Wednesday, with times yet to be confirmed.