Exeter High Street was alive with pomp, ceremony and bayonets this morning when the crew of HMS Defender exercised their Freedom of the City of Exeter for the first time.
The state-of-the-art Type 45 destroyer is affiliated with the city for some tiome and a spokesman said it was enormously honoured to have Freedom conferred on her.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in bright sunshine to watch the military parade.
The 200 men and women who serve on board Defender took part in a ceremony in the High Street, when the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Rachel Lyons, formally confered the Freedom of the City on the ship's company.
The crew then took to the streets with bayonets fixed, drums beating and colours flying, and proudly paraded through the city centre.
The ship's company formed at 11.15am at Bampfylde Street Car Park where the parade, led by The Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines from Commando Training Centre in Lympstone.
It went through Cheeke Street, Sidwell Street and the High Street, before halting at the junction with Bedford Street for the official ceremony.
The ship's company was inspected by Flag Officer Sea Training, Rear Admiral Ben Key, the Lord Mayor and the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Sir Eric Dancer.
The Lord Mayor gave a short address and presented the ceremonial Freedom of the City scroll to HMS Defender's Commanding Officer, Commander Philip Nash, who responded on behalf of the ship's company.
The parade moved off with the Lord Mayor, Lord Lieutenant and HMS Defender's Commanding Officer taking the salute at the Guildhall.
A special informal reception for the ship's company was due to be held in the White Ensign Club.
