P&O's new cruise ship, Britannia has arrived in Southampton for the first time.

The vessel has arrived in Southampton with the name of her home city emblazoned on her stern.

Unlike the rest of the P&O fleet, which carry the name of the Bermudan capital Hamilton, Britannia is registered in Britain for tax reasons.

Among those going out to meet Britannia as she enters her berth at the Ocean Terminal in the city’s Eastern Docks were a group of Daily Echo readers, winners of a special competition to greet Britannia’s first entry into Southampton from the decks of a specially chartered pleasure craft.

Daily Echo:

Britannia will be officially named by the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, on Tuesday before the ship departs on her maiden voyage to the Mediterranean on Saturday, March 14.

As Britannia passed Netley and Weston Shore, two fire tugs escorted her up Southampton Water, spraying fountains of water high into the air.

A small armada of yachts, pleasure craft and even a hover craft shadowed her as she entered port.

Crowds lined Mayflower Park and Town Quay in Southampton as Britannia came to a halt off the shore.