A SOUTH Somerset man has been appointed as the commander of the Royal Navy Warship HMS Somerset.

Commander Tim Berry, 41, from Combe St Nicholas, was appointed to the prestigious role at the start of the month.

Commander Berry has taken control of the Type 23 Frigate, and is currently on a busy national tasking around the UK.

He has a long and distinguished career in the Navy, having joined the service as a Warfare Officer in 1997, and has served in some of the global hotspots in his 19-year stint.

Speaking after his appointment, Commander Berry said: "It’s a great honour and privilege to take command of one of Her Majesty’s finest and will undoubtedly be a career high that will be hard to top.

"The warm Somerset welcome I’ve received from my ship’s company has been outstanding and I look forward to working with our broad range of affiliates from across my home county.’’

HMS Somerset is a Type 23 Frigate, which was launched 22 years ago in 1994. Her home port is Devonport, Plymouth. It is a large warship, measuring 133 metres in length, with a displacement of 4,900 tonnes.

Commander Berry spent all of his childhood in South Somerset.

He attended Holyrood Academy, before going to Richard Huish College in Taunton. He also played cricket for Somerset County Cricket Association under 14s.

After joining the Royal Navy in 1997, he first went aboard on the HMS Newcastle, and after a variety of tasks on board different ships, was made Commander of HMS Severn in February 2013.

His father, Michael Berry MBE, praised his son after his appointment.

He said: "We are obviously hugely proud of him.

"It's a local lad done good, and we are really proud."