LEDBURY people will have to wait patiently for more than one year before they get to roll out the red carpet again, for the crew of HMS Ledbury.

This is because the "Hunt Class" minesweeper is to undergo major refurbishment, and its existing crew members, who enjoy the Freedom of the Town, will be transferred to other duties during that period.

The crew were granted the Freedom of Ledbury in 2007, and they last exercised their right to parade through town, drums beating and with bayonets fixed, in February 2014.

It is a thrilling spectacle which is always appreciated by local people, and it attracts a large crowd.

Some crew members paid a visit to the town this autumn, when Ledbury's mayor, Cllr Bob Barnes took them to see the Ledbury Hunt kennels, at Egg Tump.

The "Hunt Class" minesweepers we originally named after British fox hunts, because of the stealthy nature of their duties.

Speaking at a recent council meeting, Cllr Barnes said: "At the moment, the vessel is probably in Scottish waters, but will return to Portsmouth to have its propulsion units changed, and it will not be back in the water until January 2016.

"The crew will be transferred to HMS Middleton."

This is a another Royal Navy minesweeper.

A Royal Navy spokesman said: "We can confirm that HMS Ledbury is entering a planned maintenance period, which will include a capability upgrade.

"We do not discuss the details or specific timings of such programmes as this will be the subject of contract negotiations and our operational requirements."

The spokesman added: "HMS Ledbury’s refit period is part of our upkeep programme for the Hunt Class minesweepers to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Royal Navy in the future.

"As is normal in such circumstances, the ship’s company of HMS Ledbury will undertake other duties during this maintenance period."