NAVAL families from across the UK took over a Helensburgh bar for a special homecoming party recently.

Around 100 loved ones of relatives aboard HMS Vigilant came together at the Logie Baird Bar and Kitchen to enjoy a buffet, prize bingo and kids entertainment.

They had travelled from as far as England and Wales to watch the boat return home after months at sea.

Owners Cara and Milan Nikolic were delighted to be asked to host the private function organised by the Royal Navy Royal Marines Welfare based in Churchill, Helensburgh.

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Cara said: “The wives, partners, children and other loved ones had come from London, Manchester, Newcastle and Plymouth as well as Scotland to Logie’s.

“They started the day with coffee and cake and juice and biscuits for the kids then came back in the afternoon for a big buffet and entertainment.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere with everyone having a great time. It was lovely to see the place buzzing with happy families and they had a kids entertainer in one corner and kids tv on in another area and there was plenty of space for them to run around and have fun.

“It kept everyone happy while they waited for the rest of the unit to leave the boat and join them.”

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Churchill’s community development worker Sophia McCardel organised the event with welfare support worker Amy Boulton and Lieutenant Chris Mellows from the unit.

She said: “It was a lovely day for all the families with fantastic food and the staff couldn’t do enough for us.

“We brought the families from all over the UK to be there for the homecoming.

"It’s a lovely thing to do for them and we’ve been doing four a year for 11 years but this is the first time in this venue.”

Cara added: “We were very pleased to be asked to host the event and they were an absolute pleasure to have. We hope to see them back again in the future.”