A helicopter involved in numerous rescues since it arrived in Helston in 1970 is being prepared for its final callout.

The Sea King search and rescue helicopter from RNAS Culdrose is being given a makeover, ready to be placed on a plinth just inside the naval base's fence opposite Helston Community Hospital.

It will be transported to its final resting place at the end of March, when 771 Naval Air Squadron is officially decommissioned.

Commander Ian Fitter, executive commander of RNAS Culdrose said: "The helicopter will act as a permanent reminder of the efforts of aircrew past and present, and the important role that the Sea King aircraft has played saving thousands of lives over the past 40 years."

Culdrose has been working with Cornwall Council and Cormac to make sure the position of the helicopter is both highly visible and safe.

Meanwhile, Royal Navy engineers having been making sure the helicopter, which had the call sign 827, will be looking its best thanks to a new coat of paint courtesy of Culdrose's ‘Spray Bay’.

The seven man team has sanded it down, re-primed it and then painted it back to its original state.

Martin Hunt was responsible for ensuring that the aircraft was finished according to the original drawings. He said: "What we have done is just like re-spraying a car, but this vehicle is a bit bigger and a lot more important!"

The aircraft was delivered to Culdrose in October 1970 and served with four different squadrons before joining 771 Squadron in April 2003.