Southampton's massive 150,000-ton passenger liner Queen Mary 2 has received its four propulsion pods at the French shipyard of Chantiers de l'Atlantique.

Each pod has a forward-facing propeller, two of the units can be rotated 360 degrees while the other two are fixed, and each houses an electric motor, replacing the traditional long shaft and rudder system.

Once all checks have been completed on the pods the berth will be flooded again and the ship's fitting out will continue in Saint Nazaire.

The Cunarder, which will enter the record books as the largest, longest, widest, tallest and most expensive passenger ship ever built, is due to make her dramatic entry in Southampton Water later this year in December.

Preparations are well under way in Southampton for the arrival of QM2 with her home berth at the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal in the Eastern Docks having already undergone a wide-ranging facelift and redevelopment to cope with the ship's 2,620 passengers and 1,254 crew.

When she enters service in January 2004, the 1,131 foot long QM2 will boast a vast selection of cabins including two spectacular, two storey-high suites, the Balmoral and Sandringham Duplexes, with an upstairs bedroom and large private balcony, while downstairs is a living room and dining room.

QM2 has been specially designed for the rigours of the North Atlantic and is the first true ocean liner, as opposed to a modern-day cruise ship, to be built since Queen Elizabeth 2 began operating in May, 1969.