SOUTHAMPTON gave the Queen Elizabeth 2 freedom of the city - now the departing liner should return the favour, MPs said yesterday.

The city's top politicians expressed dismay at Cunard's decision to sell the 70,000-tonne vessel to the oil-rich Middle Eastern state of Dubai, which plans to turn it into a floating hotel.

They said residents who had grown up with the ship, launched by the Queen in 1967, deserved to be given the chance to taste the "magic" of the vessel during its final days in the city.

John Denham, Labour MP for Southampton Itchen, who played a leading role in the campaign to secure Freedom of the City for the ship in 1990, the highest honour the city can bestow, called on Cunard to organise a "fitting leaving ceremony" before the liner departs from Southampton for the last time next November.

He said: "It's sad to see the QE2 go, but we should never forget that Southampton now sees more cruise ships than ever before in our history.

"It would be good if Cunard contributed to a fitting leaving ceremony for the ship."

Sandra Gidley, Liberal Democrat MP for the Romsey constituency, which covers some of north-west Southampton, said Cunard should consider offering residents guided tours of the ship before it set sail for the last time.

She said: "The city awarded the QE2 the freedom of the city. It would be nice to see a reciprocal gesture.

"The QE2's links with the city go back a long way and local people have a particular fondness for her and are proud of the connection."

Mr Denham blasted the Conservative-led city council for failing to do more to keep QE2 in Southampton.

He said: "Every opportunity to create a wow factor' for Southampton seems to be missed."

See today's Daily Echo for the full story