Set for the breakers, Falklands flagship being sold for scrap

The aircraft carrier HMS Invincible, Britain's flagship vessel in the Falklands war, has been put up for sale as scrap on an auction website similar to eBay.

The aircraft carrier, which counts Prince Andrew among its old boys, has been put on edisposals.com where it is currently listed as 'In Stock'.

No bids have been received, but Leavesley International - which scrapped HMS Intrepid in 2008 - has indicated it is interested.

HMS Invincible was mothballed in 2005 just months after an expensive refit which was supposed to extend her life by ten years. Richard Scott, of Jane's Defence Weekly, said: "She certainly carved her name out in history. But every ship reaches the end of its career."