The crippled British Royal Navy destroyer HMS Nottingham has set out on the first stage of its long journey home.

The warship had been stranded at Lord Howe Island off eastern Australia since striking a rock and tearing a section of its hull a month ago.

But now it is under tow and heading more than 350 miles (600 kilometres) to the port of Newcastle, north of Sydney

The destroyer is being towed stern first - backwards - to minimise the risk of more flooding in the damaged forward compartments.

Nottingham had been due to set off on Sunday but storms and gales meant the mission could not be started.

Disarm missiles

Lieutenant Commander Mike Souter told the Associated Press news agency: "Twenty-four hours ago it was blowing an absolute gale and today it's calm, blue skies - perfect."

Emergency repairs were needed to move the ship

The ship will now be taken by three tugs to Newcastle. The tug Pacific Chieftain will tow, the Yam O will steer and the Austral Salvor will assist.

The first task in Newcastle, will be to remove and disarm 20 Sea Dart anti-aircraft missiles.

They have been kept submerged since the ship went aground and will have to be kept wet until they are fully disarmed.

The Royal Navy and salvage experts have spent the past month reinforcing the damaged hull with steel and heavy timbers in preparation for the tow, which is expected to take three or four days.

Dry dock assessment

There will be a more complete assessment of the damage in Newcastle, but Lieutenant Commander Souter said no repairs will be made in Australia.

He dismissed claims that the warship was to be scrapped.

"I don't know how they can say that," he said. "The ship has to go into dry dock for a proper assessment.

"Apart from the damage to the hull and some internal damage, the ship - a state-of-the-art warship - is in good condition.

"The question of her future really cannot be decided yet."

HMS Nottingham ran into Wolf Rock on 7 July and almost sank.

None of the 253 crew members was injured.

Once the ship has been disarmed in Newcastle it will be loaded onto a heavy lifting ship, which is expected to arrive in Britain in December.