SAILORS from HMS Southampton are to transform themselves into Laurence Llewelyn Bowen when they redecorate the homes of three of the city's deprived families - in a day.

Around 150 sailors from the Type-42 destroyer are to spend a day helping out charity SCRATCH this month.

In addition to making hospital visits and redecorating the city centre parish rooms, the men and women will be donning overalls to transform three homes selected by the cause, which works to relieve chronic suffering caused by poverty in Southampton.

A SCRATCH spokesman said: "It's going to be a bit of a Changing Rooms scenario.

"They will start painting at 9am and hopefully finish in a day. It's going to really help the three families involved."

The charity work, planned for Friday, is part of a three-day visit by HMS Southampton's crew to the city whose name they carry.

A 24-strong guard of honour plus two platoons will take the salute from Mayor Parvin Damani and lead a march by veterans between the civic centre and the cenotaph for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony two days later.

On Saturday, 100 sailors will take part in rugby, golf, football and netball matches against local teams around the city.

Captain Commander Chris Hodkinson will also present a cheque for £1,000 to the neonatal ward at Princess Anne Hospital.

Ship weapons engineering officer Lieutenant Commander Monty Long, 28, said: "We presented the neonatal ward with a cheque for £682 earlier in the year from a sponsored walk. This money has been collected over a period of time through collections."

HMS Southampton's ship's company were give the freedom of the city in 2001.