Two Merlin Observers from RNAS Culdrose are hoping to fly high in the music charts this festive season with the release of their tenth Christmas single.

Lt Cdr Dave Emery and Ltd Cdr Phil Clark wrote the single ‘Sailing Home for Christmas’ whilst serving onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth with 820 NAS as part of Operation Fortis last year.

Falmouth Packet: Lt Cdr Dave Emery and Ltd Cdr Phil Clark Lt Cdr Dave Emery and Ltd Cdr Phil Clark (Image: Little Red Ambulance)

The Helston-based pair decided to record the Christmas song with their band Little Red Ambulance after returning from the seven-month deployment to the Far East.

They decided to invite Culdrose Military Wives Choir to sing the song with them as many of the wives' husbands were also deployed on the same operation.

Culdrose Military Wives Choir recorded a three-part harmony accompaniment on the Christmas song.

Choir lead Ciara Graham said: “We may be used to deployments in the Armed Forces community, but they are never easy for the serving person or their family members at home, especially when children are young.

“This song perfectly captures the emotions we feel when anticipating a homecoming at Christmas, it’s magical, so we are thrilled to have added our voices to this compelling, catchy track.”

Falmouth Packet: Little Red Ambulance hopes to top the chart with their festive singleLittle Red Ambulance hopes to top the chart with their festive single (Image: Little Red Ambulance)

‘Sailing Home for Christmas’ will be Little Red Ambulance’s tenth Christmas song release. The band said: “We wrote our first Christmas song together in 2009, and we get together as a band once a year to write and record a Christmas song.

“It’s been so much fun, and a great way to stay in touch as friends.”

Previous year’s Christmas songs include music videos that have been filmed at the famous Mousehole Christmas light and at Perranporth beach.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity (RNRMC) are supporting their bid to get to Christmas number one by helping them record a music video in Hamleys Toy Shop, London.

Lt Cdr Dave Emery said: “Both the RNRMC and Culdrose Military Wives Choir have been so supportive of us and our families while we were away.

“It is great to be able to give something back.”

The song is being released on December 2 to raise money for the Culdrose Military Wives Choir and the RNRMC.

You can follow the band and single process by following Little Red Ambulance on social media.