AN ex-sailor is backing a campaign to repatriate one of Britain's few surviving WW2 warships.

Michael Worthington, from Cross Gill in the Blackmoor area of Astley, hopes Liverpool City Council's bid to bring back HMS Whimbrel, right, from Egypt will be successful.

Sold in 1949, the warship was a Black Swan Class Sloop and served with the famous Captain Walker's 2nd Escort Group, which were responsible for sinking 25 German U-Boats -- six during one patrol.

The Whimbrel saw D-Day action and was also in the British Pacific Fleet and at Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender.

Michael, now aged 76, served on her during his National Service in 1946-47 as an 18-year-old radar operator in the Far East.

He told The Journal: "It would mean so much to me if HMS Whimbrel was brought back to England. I haven't set foot on her since 1947, and to walk on that deck once more would be marvellous.

"HMS Whimbrel is part of our naval history and should return to this country. There are only four surviving British warships from the Second World War, including HMS Whimbrel.

"We saw action against pirates in the South China Seas. It was one of the most exciting periods in my life, but it also got very dangerous.

"On one occasion we had to help evacuate starving Chinese who had been held captive by the Japanese. One Chinese soldier got a bit excited, pulled out a grenade and took the pin out. Luckily, an able seaman next to me snatched the grenade and threw it into the sea."

Four years ago Liverpool Council launched a campaign to bring back HMS Whimbrel and is considering buying the vessel.