A HOSPITALISED youngster was given the best incentive to get well soon.

Little Luke Joseph was promised a tour of HMS Bulwark after he met the ship’s captain in hospital.

The nine-year-old from Durham was treated like a celebrity when he visited the Paralympic security operation in Weymouth and Portland four months later.

He was laid up in University Hospital North Durham’s paediatric ward with an injured arm when he met three of the Royal Navy officers from the vessel.

The officers were visiting the children’s ward as part of HMS Bulwark’s affiliations and links to the city of Durham.

Commanding Officer Captain Alex Burton and his crewmates invited Luke to visit the 18,000 tonne Plymouth-based command and control assault ship during his holiday in Dorset.

Luke said: “I felt really important. It was definitely the best day of my holiday and a lot more exciting than Monkey World .”

The youngster was given a full tour of the ship with his foster parents John and Celia Arnell and his foster brothers Jonathan Robinson and John McDonnell.

He got the chance to sit at the ship’s wheel on the bridge, explore the operations room and clamber over the Royal Marines’ Viking vehicles on the vehicle deck.

He particularly enjoyed meeting some of the ship’s Royal Marine Commandos and getting to feel the weight of their rucksacks and weapons.

Luke said: “In a way I’m glad I hurt my arm, if I hadn’t I would never have had the opportunity to visit.”

The warship has now moved from Weymouth Bay to Portland Port where it will be based for the duration of the Paralympics. The Royal Navy, Dorset Police and the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games have been working together on the security operation to protect the sailing competition area. Luke’s family have returned to the north east and Luke has been telling his classmates at St Charles Primary School about his adventures on Bulwark.