It is a partnership that would once have turned the country's admirals purple with rage.

Five years after the end of the ban on homosexuality in the armed forces, the Royal Navy is joining forces with Pride in Brighton and Hove and seeking gay recruits.

Openly-gay Lieutenant Commander Craig Jones, 36, will be on a 40ft articulated lorry during the festival at Preston Park, Brighton, tomorrow to answer questions on life at sea.

He said: "I came out on the day the policy changed and my experiences have been positive, with my colleagues being fantastic.

"Both my partner and myself feeling very welcome in the naval community.

"Tomorrow will be about talking to gay people about an exciting career with great prospects where they can be themselves and feel welcome."

The list of history's most distinguished gay armed services personnel includes Lord Kitchener (1850-1916), the Boer war hero, whose portrait encouraged millions to enlist for the First World War, and TE Lawrence (1888-1935), the novelist and soldier hailed as Lawrence of Arabia after his heroic role as a British liaison officer during the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918.

Richard I (1157-1199), Alexander the Great (356BC-323BC) and Field Marshal Montgomery (1887-1976) were all reputed to be repressed homosexuals.

Mr Jones joined up in 1989 and managed to keep his sexuality a secret which was relatively easy until he met his partner 11 years ago.

New legislation in December means gay and unmarried couples will be given the same recognition as married couples.

This means Mr Jones and his partner, Adam, can move from Brighton, where they have lived for eight years, into Navy quarters.

He said: "Thankfully we now have a policy which the people who fought for change in the first place should be very proud of.

"I think we've come a remarkably long way in five years."

For more information about joining the Royal Navy, call the Brighton Armed Forces careers office on 01273 325029.