I felt really privileged and proud to be joining the Royal Navy, if only for a couple of hours, as I toured the HMS Illustrious yesterday.

I am currently researching my family history and my grandfather served with the Royal Navy between1878 & 1892, when he left to join the Coastguard.

The facilities and equipment aboard the battleship HMS Devastation in 1886 and HMS Illustrious 2008 must be a million miles apart, but still with one aim to serve queen and country and defend our nation.

How I wish the opportunities for women available now had been available when I left school 40 years ago, my life might have been a very different story.

The Operations Room was a real eye opener and it must be fantastic and so rewarding to be part of such a well drilled team during an operation.

I would like to thank Mark and Spike who were so informative and helpful and I look forward to seeing more of the crew at the match on Sunday.