A US Naval vessel which visited Whitehaven back in 2003 has been spotted in the Hollywood blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick. 

Gerard Richardson, who organised several major festivals during 1999 and the early 2000s, spotted the USS Leyte Gulf in the new hit movie starring Tom Cruise. 

The boat visited Whitehaven as part of one of the festivals back in 2003 and Gerard explained that he was delighted to see it again, but this time on the silver screen. 

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He said: "When we started the festivals in 1999, we started them on the basis of the John Paul Jones’ story and along with the US Navy and US Embassy we created this honorary consulate office in Whitehaven, which is actually my shop. 

"We have a plaque outside and we get a diplomatic visit every year from the US Navy attaché. Back in 2003 we were wanting them to send over some aircrafts to take part in our show instead we got a phone call explaining that the aircraft idea had been dropped and instead a guided missile cruiser would be sent.

"The USS Navy Leyte Gulf arrived that summer and it was the first American Navy boat in our harbour since John Paul Jones attacked in 1778. 

"We organised a cocktail party on deck when the boat arrived, all of the US Navy officers wore a white uniform and lead the women onto the boat, around 50 people attended.

"It was a phenomenal weekend and it brought thousands into Whitehaven. I'd never heard from the boat again until I recently watched Top Gun: Maverick. The vessel was mentioned in the film and was then shown during a major action sequence, it was fantastic to see and a nice touch to the film. 

"When the crew were here, they talked us through the capabilities of the boat and showed us the missile tubes, so to see on one of the biggest films of the year missiles being launched from the boat was awesome really."