CROWDS gathered to catch a glimpse of a £1billion Royal Navy warship sail past Penarth beach on Tuesday morning, September 2.

HMS Duncan, the Royal Navy’s newest Type 45 destroyer, was on its way to Roath Lock, Cardiff Bay, as part of the NATO Summit.

Cardiff Bay and HMS Duncan is set to be the location for one of the three working dinners taking place in the capital on Thursday evening.

As well as HMS Duncan there are also set to be five other warships, all from different countries, gathering in Cardiff Bay.

After leaving Penarth there was reported to be a ‘technical problem’ which delayed HMS Duncan entering the port in Cardiff when it arrived.

A spokesman from Associated British Ports said that a problem affecting one of the lock gates caused a minor delay when the warship was entering the port, but the problem was quickly resolved by port staff and the vessel continued on its passage to a berth at Roath Basin.

The ultra-modern, 152-metre-long ship weighs 8,000 tonnes and was first launched in October 2010.

Dr David Trotman, director of Penarth Pier Pavilion, said that apart from causing a delay to the Waverley paddle steamer the HMS Duncan warship was warmly welcomed by local residents.

“It attracted a lot of people down to the pier and the esplanade,” he said.

“It was quite a formidable sight to see the warship and with the military helicopters going back and forth the last few days it’s all quite exciting.”

The warship’s tugboats first appeared around 8.30am as it made its way past around 10.30am.

“She was only going at about five or six knots,” added Dr Trotman.

“It was quite wonderful to see a warship of that kind.

“It was quite fitting as we had our meeting of war veterans with PTSD in the morning, so it was quite nice to see a modern naval ship.”

He added: “I’m told there will be a flypast on Friday morning, with the likes of Nato air forces and the Red Arrows, so we will be opening early to see it.”

There is due to be a flypast of the Red Arrows, as well as other aircraft from the Nato alliance, over the Celtic Manor at 9am on Friday. Penarth residents should head to Cardiff Bay at 8.30am for the best views.