ONE of Hampshire's leading ship outfitters has just finished refurbishing a fleet tanker that supplies fuel to Britain's warships.

The four-month Black Rover contract represented Trimline's biggest contract for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) in more than ten years.

The overhaul by Northwestern Shiprepairers in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, saw the 11,500-ton tanker emerge with accommodation upgraded to a high standard of quality and design.

Southampton based Trimline had a team of some 50 craftsmen on the ship, with some 57 cabins and other crew and officers' facilities being refitted with quality fittings such as cherry furniture, granite bar surfaces and leather upholstery.

Accommodation for the officers, petty officers and crew also received a new look with extensive redecoration, lighting, soft furnishings, wardrobes, drawers, chairs and other furniture, all manufactured by Trimline's joinery factory.

Elsewhere on the 140m-long ship, the officers' lounge and saloon, the petty officers' and crew bars and dining areas benefited from a major makeover.

New epoxy flooring was laid in all alleyways, and new deckheads and carpets were fitted throughout all accommodation and recreation areas.

RFA technical superintendent Captain Mike Cole, who oversaw the publicly-funded project, said: "The ship has been refitted to an extremely high standard and the accommodation and facilities on board represent a benchmark for any future refurbishment work."

Trimline managing director Mike Oliver said: "Our successful partnership with the shipyard and RFA personnel was the key to completing this major project to such a high standard and we believe this experience will be vital in our hopes of securing future work with the RFA fleet."

The RFA, which has its base at Marchwood, near Southampton, supplies warships with fuel, ammunitions, food and general supplies, and it played an important role in the liberation of Iraq.

Trimline, which provided soft furnishings for the world's biggest passenger liner, the £550m RMS Queen Mary 2, declined to disclose how much the Black Rover contract was worth.