Sea King helicopters to be decommissioned after popular farewell tour

The Somerset-based Sea King helicopter is being decommissioned today after almost 40 years of service.

It follows an emotional farewell tour earlier this month which saw five of the aircraft flying across the region

Thousands of people turned out to pay tribute to the 'landrover of the skies'.

'The land-rover of the skies' is bowing out after 37 years of service in the Royal Navy. Credit: ITV News

The Sea Kings have served in the Royal Navy for 37 years, taking part in every major conflict of the period including the Gulf Wars and Bosnian War.

Thousands of people across the region watched the last flight of the Sea Kings ten days ago as they passed over most of Somerset, Devon, Dorset and Bristol.