Dartmouth regatta's guardship tradition has been saved thanks to a last minute change of mind by the Royal Navy.

Regatta organisers were delighted four weeks ago when they were told that the traditional guardship visit was on for this year.

That turned to disappointment when two weeks ago they were told there would be no warship visit at all and the promised guardship, HMS Blyth, was being ordered off to another venue – to the south coast town of Bournemouth for its three-day air festival.

Regatta organisers had resigned themselves to having to do without the popular guardship tradition when, with just days to go before the launch of the regatta celebration, the Royal Navy suddenly changed its mind yet again – and came up with another warship offer.

Now the Hunt class minesweeper HMS Chiddingfold will be doing the honours during the regatta celebrations – and for part of her visit will be open to the public for tours.

A relieved regatta committee vice chairman Hilary Bastone said: 'Once again the Royal Navy has come up trumps. It is fantastic news after the disappointment of hearing that HMS Blyth was not coming and there was no likelihood of a replacement.'

HMS Chiddingfold M37 at 685 tonnes with a crew of 45 is actually bigger than the minehunter HMS Blyth but much smaller than the Royal Navy frigates which used to be regular guardship visitors to the port's regatta.

A delighted Mr Bastone added: 'The Royal Navy has always played an important role in regatta and the guardship has always provided a brilliant backdrop to the regatta scene.'

HMS Chiddingfold will be sailing into the Dart next Thursday and she is expected to be open to the public on Saturday, August 31, between 10am and noon and 1.30pm and 4pm and then again on Sunday between 10am and 1pm.

Some 15 years ago the Royal Navy stopped sending guardships to the Dartmouth regatta and it caused such a furore that the MP of the time, Anthony Steen, ended up asking questions in the House of Commons – and the guardships were brought back.

All the rest of the regatta events are due to go ahead as planned – from the rowing and sailing to crab-catching competitions and the immensely popular air shows.

'It's all building up nicely,' said Mr Bastone. 'If we get the weather, it will be a brilliant regatta.'

l For more information about regatta events, see pages 27-31.