DORSET'S adopted warship HMS Portland scuppered Saddam Hussein's latest bid to raise cash for weapons in a daring armed raid in the Gulf.

A crack team stationed on board the Type 23 frigate, including Royal Marines, swooped on the MV Vienna in a bold night-time assault yesterday after the tanker was suspected of carrying an illegal cargo of oil.

HMS Portland - the first ship to be named after the Dorset island for nearly 150 years - is in the Gulf to help enforce United Nations security sanctions against Saddam Hussein. Under current UN sanctions Iraq is banned from exporting oil unless it is in exchange for food.

But the UN says Saddam has been sending out small tankers in a bid to dodge the embargo and sell oil to buy arms.

HMS Portland tracked the MV Vienna from Iraqi waters yesterday and interrogated the captain over the radio.

Eventually the rogue tanker was stopped by force and a 20-strong boarding party from HMS Portland sped to the ship in inflatable raider boats to mount the interception.

Armed with pistols and semi-automatic rifles the boarding party - including at least one Wren - took control of the ship by force and mustered the entire crew on deck.

A thorough search of the tanker revealed she was carrying 1,200 tons of oil worth at least $100,000 - instead of a cargo of water as listed on its official papers.

HMS Portland's captain, Commander Jonathan Handley said: "I am delighted we have been able to play a successful part in this international effort. I'm very proud of the efficient way in which my sailors and the Royal Marines reacted to the challenge."

HMS Portland, which has a crew of 192 men and women, including some who hail from across Dorset, has been in the Gulf since February and is due to patrol the waters until July.

The 133-metre frigate is the Royal Navy's newest ship, commissioned just over a year ago.

Ministry of Defence spokesman, Lt-Cdr Steve Tatham said today: "The Royal Navy has been a continuous presence in the Gulf for the last 10 years.

"This is just one of a number of major operations that has been successfully completed over the years. We're all very proud of them."