A sailor is leading a famous frigate on its final voyage.

Lieutenant-Commander James Farrant, from Carshalton, is part of the senior command on HMS Cumberland returning to Portsmouth this weekend to be decommissioned after 22 years of service.

The vessel was recently diverted from its final journey home, to rescue 454 people from Benghazi in Libya.

The 31-year-old, who grew up in Epsom, said it was an honour to be part of the company leading her home on her final voyage, and the heroics in the Middle East were a fitting send-off for the ship.

The logistics officer, one of five senior officers below the ship’s captain, said: “I can’t think of a better way for a ship to bow out.”

He described the arrival to rescue the evacuees looking to escape the uprising against Colonel Gadaffi, as “incredibly exciting”.

He said: “We really did not know what kind of reception we would get. It was extremely rewarding we were all involved.”

Lt-Cdr Farrant said he was looking forward to returning home, especially as he had not seen his wife, Joanna, since she told him she was pregnant on October 1, just a day after he departed the UK.

He said: “I’ll have to look after her well to make up for the time I’ve missed.”

There have been calls from some sailors’ families on the ship for it to be saved becasue of its recent expolits.

Lt-Cdr Farrant said he was sad to see the ship go, but understood the Ministry of Defence’s decision to scrap the ship, saving £60m a year.

HMS Cumberland has a proud heritage, with a total of 16 ships bearing the name.

The first was commissioned in 1695, during the reign of William III.