THE Queen has sent her best wishes to an inaugural event of Weymouth and Portland’s new Merchant Navy Association (MNA) branch.

Chairman of the MNA, captain Paul Compton, surprised members when he revealed a letter from Queen Elizabeth II at their first annual dinner.

He said: “I sent a letter to the Queen saying we were going to have our first dinner and sending our Royal greetings.

“We then got a very nice letter back thanking us.”

Dozens of members of the newest branch of the MNA attended the dinner at the Royal Dorset Yacht Club on Custom House Quay, Weymouth.

All enjoyed the delicious food – and excellent service – provided by the yacht club.

After dinner, Compton, asked the youngest guest, Tamsin Lambert, who is currently a Merchant Navy cadet, to read the letter received in response to the loyal greetings sent to Queen Elizabeth II.

Members were wished well on the occasion of their first dinner and all were impressed with Compton for both his initiative in writing to the Palace, and the secrecy which made it such a wonderful surprise to all.

Members also recently took part in the Remembrance Parade on Weymouth Esplanade.

Compton added: “It was a long overdue appearance for a town so much related to the sea not just through the Royal Navy, but through Merchant Navy too.

“The association is proud of what it has achieved in the few months that it has been in operation and hopes to go from strength to strength.

“It is open to any and all seafarers who would be made most welcome at our monthly meetings, on the third Thursday of the month, at the Royal Dorset Yacht Club.”