IT was a big job for a little girl but with a wizard on hand, to make it a really magical day in Southampton, six-year-old Emily Walters won herself a place in the record books yesterday.

Corks popped and champagne fizzed as Emily officially named the Solent's latest vessel, Walcon Wizard in Southampton's Western Docks watched by scores of specially invited guests.

Emily is the granddaughter of Robin Walters, founder and chairman of Fareham based Walcon Marine who have just brought the brand new, 105-ton vessel into service along the south coast.

With a helping hand from her father, James, the company's managing director, and her grandfather, Emily cut the ribbon to send the traditional bottle of champagne crashing on to the side of the craft to become the first youngster ever to christen a commercial working barge.

"I have really been looking forward to doing this and it has been great fun,'' said Emily, a pupil at Meonstoke School, after the ceremony which was held as part of the seawork2004 exhibition which has now closed after a three-day run in the city.

The purpose-built, self-propelled 24 metre long piling barge, based at Walcon's berth at Merlin Quay on the River Itchen at Woolston, will now become a familiar sight on the Hampshire coast.

Walcon Wizard will soon be busy helping to prepare the waterfront site for this year's Southampton Boat Show due to be staged in the city between September 10 and 19.