Labour has once again sent one of its big guns into Southampton - with the help of a leading lady.

Mother of three Pauline Prescott - the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister John - was in the city to officially reopen the £2m Queen Elizabeth II Terminal at Southampton port.

The guest of honour was accompanied by her husband, John, who was fresh from the Labour party conference in Bournemouth.

The remodernised terminal at Eastern Docks will service passengers for the £550m Queen Mary 2 from January.

Mrs Prescott, 64, had been invited by Bo Lerenius, the group chief executive of Associated British Ports, which owns Southampton's docks.

She was last in Southampton in 1999 for a container vessel naming ceremony.

Speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo, the Deputy Prime Minister spoke of his long love affair with Southampton.

He recalled: "I used to be a waiter with the Mauritania, and used to stay at the Polygon Hotel which has now gone."

He revealed that the couple, who married in 1961, nearly missed a voyage because Mrs Prescott was too busy shopping in Southampton. Mrs Prescott, at his side for the ceremony yesterday, said: "It really is an honour to have been asked here along with my husband."

Mr Lerenius said: "The international reputation of the port of Southampton grew around transatlantic travel and legendary passenger liners, as symbolised by Cunard's historic liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.

"When Southampton comes, yet again, under the world's spotlight at the end of the year, I know that ABP's QEII Terminal will be a worthy facility fit to welcome yet another Cunard queen."