St Helena Line (SHL) has confirmed the sale of the Royal Mail Ship St Helena as the first flights begin to the remote UK island of St Helena.

London shipbroker CW Kellock will handle the disposal of the 6,800-dwt cargo and passenger vessel, which was built in 1990.

The ship will wind up its long service in February.

It has provided the sole regular means of access to the island, a remote UK overseas territory located 1,200 miles off the west coast of Africa in the South Atlantic.