ROYAL Navy minehunter HMS Ledbury has started a four-month NATO mission in the Mediterranean.

The Portsmouth-based ship will be working as part of a permanent mutltnational maritime force in the area/ The group works throughout the year defending sea routes from the threat of underwater mines and carrying out joint training exercises.

Four months ago, the 42 sailors on board returned to the UK having served on sister ship HMS Atherstone in the Gulf.