Queen Mary 2 - the world's biggest and most expensive cruise liner - which will have Southampton as its home port put to sea for the first time today for her sea trials.
Cunard's 150,000 ton QM2, sailed from the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St Nazaire, western France.
The first trials will last four days, during which the £540m ship will be sailing close to the French coast.
The second trials may see the vessel off the Isle of Arran in Scotland. In a continuation of a tradition dating back to 1936, QM2 is planned to undertake the "measured mile" speed trial like the first Queen Mary liner.
This will involve the vessel going flat out over a mile to determine just how fast she can go. Top speed is expected to be around 34mph, or 30 knots.
QM2, which can carry 2,620 passengers, is due to sail into Southampton for the first time in December, with an elaborate naming ceremony on January 8.
More than 1,130ft long, the vessel will leave from Southampton on her maiden passenger voyage to Fort Lauderdale in Florida four days later.
For more news and information about Queen Mary 2 visit our dedicated Southampton shipping site 'This is Shipping' at: http://www.thisisshipping.co.uk
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