Colchester is closer to ruling the waves after the council agreed to lobby for a future Royal Naval vessel to be named after the town.

A meeting of the full council last night gave its backing for the Queen to be asked to name a future naval vessel as HMS Colchester.

Kevin Bentley (Con, Birch and Winstree) put a motion to the council that the Royal Navy has had six ships bearing the name of Colchester.

It adds that "it is time for one of Her Majesty's ships to once again bear the name of our proud and great town."

Mr Bentley said: "All the previous vessels have been under sail and it is about time we had a motorised vessel.

"It is about our town. I hope in the not too distant future, whatever shape it is, a vessel will have the town's name on it. It has got to be to our credit."

Published Thursday December 18, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette