The Royal Navy frigate HMS Cumberland arrives in Malta today for a short visit.

One of the four Batch 3 Type 22 frigates in service with the British Navy, she displaces 5,000 tonnes with a crew of over 250.

HMS Cumberland carries out a wide variety of roles, including the capability of acting as a flagship for UK and Nato forces. The ship has been in service with the Royal Navy for 16 years during which time she has operated in many parts of the world.

The visit comes towards the end of a six-month deployment to the Gulf and north-west Indian Ocean, which has seen the ship operate in support of UK interests in the region and she has visited a large number of ports in the area.

Prior to the deployment HMS Cumberland was involved in an intensive period of training and work-up in the UK. She returns to her base port of Plymouth in mid-October for a period of rest and maintenance.

The ship's commanding officer, Captain Russell Best, said of the visit: "It is a great privilege for HMS Cumberland to be visiting Malta, at the end of a very enjoyable but extremely busy deployment. It is only a few years since our last visit, however, many of the ship's company have never been here and we are all looking forward to enjoying the sights and generous hospitality which Royal Navy ships always receive".