WARSHIP HMS Dauntless sailed into Liverpool for the first time today for the International Mersey River Festival.

The Royal Navy Type-45 destroyer docked at the city's Cruise Liner Terminal at around 10.30am.

Members of the ship's company will now take part in a rededication ceremony for HMS Liverpool's ship's bell at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church of England. The bell is on permanent loan to the city.

The Royal Navy's Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Philip Jones, who is from Wirral, is also in attendance.

The bell will be carried by four apprentices from Cammell Laird and accompanied by two members of Dauntless' company and two Royal Marines drummers.

It will be first time Dauntless has visited Liverpool. Commanding officer Adrian Fryer, said: "We are thoroughly looking forward to playing our part in the International Mersey River Festival.

"It promises to be a colourful and inspiring spectacle and we are delighted HMS Dauntless will take a central place at the heart of it.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors on board and sharing our experiences of this great ship and the Royal Navy."

HMS Dauntless will be one of many vessels throwing open its gangway to the public from 11am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

As well as being able to learn more about the ship and chat to the crew, visitors will also be able to see the ship’s Lynx helicopter which will take pride of place on the flight deck.

It is just one of the attractions at the festival.

Ashore at the Cruise Liner Terminal there will be displays of unarmed combat, diving equipment, displays of survival equipment, the Royal Marines weapons dome, a field gun display by Sea Cadets, recruitment stands and much more.

The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland will also perform over the weekend.

HMS Dauntless joined the Fleet in November 2010, shortly after being the first of the class to fire the new Sea Viper missile.

Destroyers are part of the backbone of the Royal Navy, committed around the world 365 days a year hunting pirates, drug runners or submarines, defending the fleet from air attack, and providing humanitarian aid after natural disasters.

Commanding officer Adrian Fryer, continued: “The rededication of HMS Liverpool’s ship’s bell on Friday will allow members of my ship’s company to play their small part in marking the esteem in which the Type 42 destroyer was held by the city of Liverpool.

“I know that my ship’s company is proud to be included in the ceremony and parade, alongside former HMS Liverpool crew members and with Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Jones in attendance.”

HMS Dauntless will leave Liverpool on Monday at approximately 11am.