The combination of guns and sailors will prove irresistible to boys and girls of all ages.

Type 42 Destroyers are the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-air capability. Equipped with the Sea Dart medium range air defence missile system, a Type 42 will provide area air defence to a group of ships whilst being effective against surface targets at sea.

‘We're pleased to welcome the Royal Navy again to our prestigious London show,’ said Andrew Williams, NBS managing director. ‘A warship is always a wonderful addition to the event and we're delighted that the outdoor-on-water facility at ExCeL enables us to display a vessel of such size and importance – and to offer show visitors the chance to climb aboard.’

For operational reasons, the name of the Destroyer cannot be disclosed at this time. She will be named closer to the opening of the 54th London Boat Show. The London Boat Show runs at ExCeL from January 11 to 20, 2008.