IT was a real family affair when Dame Kelly Holmes named Arcadia.

Watching her carry out the naming ceremony was Dame Kelly's parents, sister, brother and escort at the event, her grandfather, Geoff Norris.

It was a ceremony none of her relatives wanted to miss, not least because Dame Kelly, acting as godmother to Arcadia, is the first non-member of the Royal family to name a present day P&O Cruises' vessel.

She follows in the distinguished footsteps of the Queen, the Princess Royal and her daughter Zara Phillips who have all named other P&O Cruises ships in Southampton.

"It is such a tremendous honour to be godmother," said Dame Kelly, who was wearing her two gold medals.

"I have never been on a ship like this before and when I arrived on the dock it looked just enormous. I thought wow this day is going to be unforgettable."

Dame Kelly had only flown back to the United Kingdom the previous day after being in South Africa where she had been in training for the forthcoming athletics season. Before that the Olympic double gold medal winner had been in Namibia where she had helped train underprivileged young athletes.

Dame Kelly, who will be celebrating her 35th birthday next week, has a home in Kent and by chance is a neighbour of David Dingle, the managing director of P&O Cruises.

Mr Dingle said: "Dame Kelly's triumphs in last year's Olympic Games were outstanding achievements for Britain and we are honoured that she has agreed to become godmother to Arcadia.

"This new vessel, the largest and most contemporary cruise ship ever built for Britain, is the latest in a long line of achievements for P&O Cruises and we are delighted that Dame Kelly is to be associated with her."