LUXURY cruise ship Aurora put to sea from Southampton last night for more engine trials in the latest bid to finally get its world voyage under way.

While the £106m flagship cruise liner was being put through its paces, entertainer Paul Daniels was weaving magic on board.

Assisted by his wife Debbie McGee, he was among showbiz stars drafted in to raise the spirits of passengers who could be stuck in the ship's home port until tomorrow while repairs are carried out.

The comedian Jimmy Tarbuck and singer Elaine Paige, star of many blockbusting West End musicals, have also been brought in to help cheer up the 1,752 remaining passengers on board.

They have each paid up to £41,985 for a world voyage which, because of an engine fault, has so far only taken them to the Isle of Wight.

Free drinks and an endless flow of entertainment has not been enough to persuade all passengers to stay on board the troubled P&O liner.

So far 44 passengers have quit the ship.

Yesterday, while more repairs were being carried out some passengers ventured out to the shopping streets of Southampton for some retail therapy.

A P&O spokesman said: "The passengers are being very positive and very supportive."

The cruise ship was meant to sail from Southampton last Sunday on a 104-day grand voyage taking in 23 countries and 40 ports of call.

According to the P&O spokesman, tomorrow is the earliest departure date.

P&O managing director David Dingle has said passengers would be compensated for the loss of days on the cruise, while those not wishing to go would get a full refund.