Douglas Council says its affiliation with HMS Vigilant has been strengthened after the Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas, Jon and Angela Joughin, held a reception for crew members at the town hall.

The affiliation between the council and HMS Vigilant began in 1996, marking both the launch of the submarine and the council’s centenary year.

Representatives from the council attended the launch and the commanding officer and crew later visited the island.

In the intervening years there have been several visits by council representatives to the vessel at its base in Faslane, Scotland, and a number of reciprocal visits by the crew to the island.

When available, they are represented at the annual Remembrance Sunday service.

Less formally, there have been football matches with local clubs, golf competitions and other similar activities.

Crew members have also supported local charities by organising sponsored cycle rides and similar campaigns.

They usually visit the Sea Cadet unit, which also has an affiliation with the vessel, when they visit.

HMS Vigilant is one of four submarines which make up the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

The council said that the security nature of the submarine’s operations means that regular contact is impracticable.

Now, however, with a new commanding officer, commander Ben Smith, and a largely new crew, there is fresh impetus to reinvigorate the association.