THE Royal Navy has been given the signal to party on in Dartmouth amid fears defence bosses are aiming to axe the Senior Service's traditional cocktail knees up.

Civil servants have been looking at sinking the centuries old naval tradition of holding an on-board cocktail party for local VIPs after steaming into a port to save cash.

But Dartmouth has been told that its annual regatta party involving a Royal Navy 'guardship' is not at risk.

And neither is the annual Britannia Royal Naval College cocktail party, where up to 250 guests are able to say 'down the hatch' at the traditional bash which includes a Royal Marine Band beating retreat.

The news was welcomed by Dartmouth's mayor-elect Richard Rendle who has served as town mayor on five previous occasions.

"It would be terrible if they stopped it. It's right and proper that the Royal Navy should show off its wares and build up public relations while doing so," he said.

"I am disappointed they are looking at this. I suppose they will be looking at everything but it is wrong for them to have to do it."

It is feared the bureaucrats have got the navy cocktail parties in their cost-cutting sights as a way of saving between £50,000 and £70,000 a year.

The tradition involves dressing the ship overall with flags and pennants and inviting local VIPs on board to help cement friendly relations.

A national newspaper reported at the weekend that commanding officers were being asked not to hold the events while on routine business to save the country's cash.

However a spokesman for the Royal Navy said that 'both formal and informal' receptions by the Royal Navy and Royal Marine units could continue when away from bases.

"The reasons they are held is because formal and informal receptions are considered useful and important means of exercising defence diplomacy," she said.

And that would include the annual guardship reception during the annual Dartmouth Regatta which would not be regarded as a routine visit.

Meanwhile a BRNC spokesman said the base would still hold its official cocktail party which goes ahead on the college quarterdeck each June.

Members of the business community and representatives from schools, the media and the police force are all invited to the event along with civic dignitaries.

Mr Rendle said the guardship cocktail parties usually start at 6pm and end at 8pm where guests were welcomed by trays of gin and tonic: "They usually are fairly generous with it."