HELLO sailor. Here's your chance to win a fantastic sea-going prize - a prize that money can't buy.

The Evening Press has teamed up with the Royal Navy to offer one of our readers the chance to sail aboard HMS York, the warship that took its name from our historic city.

The ship is sailing into Hull before its crew makes a ceremonial visit to York later this month. And one of our readers can win a trip aboard the awesome, sleek vessel alongside the new Lord Mayor of York, Coun Shan Braund.

Our winner will board HMS York off Spurn Point in the North Sea for the two-hour passage up the River Humber to berth at Hull on June 21.

He or she will meet the captain, Commander Paul Porter, ship's officers and the Lord Mayor of York, and be given a full tour of the ship and its powerful weaponry.

Depending on the weather, the winner will either fly from Humberside Airport aboard the ship's own Lynx helicopter and land on the deck helipad, or board the vessel from the Humber pilot's boat as it greets the warship. So you have to be fit enough to climb a ladder from one vessel to another. And an Evening Press photographer will be on board to capture your wonderful day.

The winner must be over 16 years old and be able to make his/her own way either to Hull or Humberside Airport on June 21.

All you have to do to win this superb prize is answer the three simple questions below (all the answers are to be found in the accompanying feature about HMS York), and send your answers - by next Monday, June 12 - to Bill Hearld, Evening Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN. Or e-mail bill.hearld@ycp.co.uk

The Editor's decision is final and there is no cash alternative to the prize. Usual York & County Press competition rules apply. Remember, you have to be fit and active enough to be able to transfer to HMS York.

About HMS York

An historic link with the high seas will be celebrated later this month when the crew of HMS York parade through the city from which their vessel takes its name.

They will ceremonially mark their Freedom of Entry to York, an acknowledgement of a proud record which has seen 12 Royal Navy ships bearing this name.

The present holder is one of the Navy's 32-strong destroyer and frigate force, with 280 officers and men, and a propulsion system that can cover 7,000 miles without refuelling and reach a maximum speed of 30 knots.

Recent tasks have included supporting UN sanctions against Iraq in the Arabian Gulf, with ten boarding operations and two vessels being detained as a result.

York was the last of the type 42 destroyers built for the Navy, whose primary task is to provide area air defence for a task force of ships by providing a "missile umbrella" or being a platform for fighter control.

Other tasks it can perform include providing fire support to troops ashore, disaster relief work, and anti-terrorism and anti-drugs operations.

Accepted into service in March 1985, she had a busy eight years before a year-long refit which finished in January 1995.

Last year an extended period in dock resulted in 23 new pieces of equipment being added.

These include the combat support system, a wide area tactical evaluation and display system which allows direct links to both Army and RAF command systems.

A greatly enhanced electronic emissions detection ability is probably the most modern in any navy worldwide.

The hardware for a system called JTIDS was also installed. This is a data link, which allows real time data transfer between air, surface and subsurface units, as well as automated target allocation.

After this equipment update the ship conducted arduous training off the South Coast, which also prepared the crew for their forthcoming deployment as part of the NATO Standing Naval Force Mediterranean.

To carry out all these roles it has a varied array of weapons and sensors. Foremost is the Seadart missile system and integrated area air defence sensor suite. An incoming missile attack will initially be detected by the ship's long-range surveillance radar.

As the missile nears radar tracking continues using the target indication radar, targets held by either of these radars are then allocated to one of two fire control radars. They will acquire and track these targets and guide the Seadart missile to intercept and impact at ranges of up to 40 nautical miles.

One of the major lessons from the Falklands conflict of 1982 was the need for adequate close range defence against aircraft and missile attack.

As a result York is fitted with two six-barrelled Vulcan Phalanx close range weapon systems on either beam, which have integrated radar and are capable of firing 20 mm ammunition at 4,500 rounds per minute.

Although primarily an air defence ship, York maintains a formidable anti-submarine capability, including a medium range sonar for detection and Stingray torpedoes.

These can be launched from the ship, or for longer range engagements from its Lynx Helicopter. This is guided to the submarine position where it drops a parachute-retarded torpedo, or depth charge, from a height of 400 feet.

HMS York Competition

Answer the following three questions and email your answers with your name, age,address and telephone number to bill.hearld@ycp.co.uk by Monday 12 June.

In addition, clearly state whether you are fit and able to make the transfer to HMS York.

1. How many ships have carried the proud name HMS York?

2. How many rounds per minute can the Vulcan Phalanx gun fire?

3. What type of helicopter does the ship have?