The Hampshire Flag Company has helped The Portsmouth News and the city’s residents celebrate the return of HMS Liverpool from its seven month stint off the coast of Libya by donating an array of flags and a giant banner.

The Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer sailed into its Portsmouth base on Monday 7 November amidst cheers and waves from well-wishers and to the sight of a large scale 20m long banner, produced in partnership with The Portsmouth News, which said ‘Welcome home HMS Liverpool’ along with ‘The Crazy Red Chicken is back’ referring to the ship’s nickname.

Hampshire Flag produced the banner on a DuPont Chromaprint printer and it was turned around in just a few hours.

In addition to producing the banner for free, Waterlooville-based Hampshire Flag Company donated 100 hand waving Union Jack flags and 200m of Union Jack bunting.

Hampshire Flag’s Managing Director Graham Wilkinson said, “HMS Liverpool is part of our city’s naval heritage and it is wonderful to see it return from such an important mission and receive the warm welcome it deserves.

“We were delighted to play our part in marking the safe return of HMS Liverpool and it was fantastic to see our hand waving flags, bunting and the banner add impact and atmosphere to the occasion,” said Graham.

The veteran warship, which had a crew of around 240, has played a key role in protecting the people of Libya and has been supporting front-line operations. It has been fired on at least 10 times since it arrived in the warzone in April.

Mark Waldron, editor of The Portsmouth News, said, “We wanted to help celebrate the return of HMS Liverpool and for the crew to see the banner as soon as they sailed into the harbour. Once again, the team at Hampshire Flag pulled out all the stops and not only did the banner look impressive but the bunting and hand waving flags meant the friends and family of the crew could participate in the homecoming too.”

Hampshire Flag’s team of 24 produces hand-sewn national and international flags and digitally printed banners. It also offers a bespoke flag design service, PVC banners, marine flags, bunting, table flags, exhibition graphics and event systems in addition to the supply and installation an extensive range of flagpoles.