SOUTHAMPTON'S legendary liner QE2 is to be withdrawn from Atlantic service ending a unique era lasting more than three decades, the Daily Echo can reveal.

At the same time Cunard, QE2's owner, has announced a major increase in the number of voyages the company's vessels are to make from Southampton next year.

This represents an enormous business boost for Southampton docks and strengthens the city's position as the nation's premier cruise port.

QE2 will remain in Southampton but her role will be switched in 2004 to solely cruise voyages in and out of the port.

Cunard say this change in QE2's operation will "ensure a long future for a great ship''.

QE2's traditional transatlantic passages to New York and back, the only remaining scheduled crossings on the route, will be taken over by Cunard's new megaliner, the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 - the biggest passenger ship in history.

Confirming the move, Cunard also said QE2 and its other five-star city-based ship, Caronia will undertake 31 departures from Southampton in 2003, a record for the 162-year-old shipping line.

This comes hard on the heels of the company saying it is also to build an 85,000 ton ship aimed totally at the UK market which will also be based in Southampton and enter service in 2005.

The huge investment programme reflects Cunard's intention to be a major force in Great Britain's rapidly growing cruise sector and to take on head-to-head rival shipping lines in its determination to win a bigger slice of rising passenger numbers.

Pam Conover, Cunard's president and chief operating officer, said: "Both QE2 and Caronia are registered in Britain, have British officers and were the last passenger ships to be built in Britain and between them offer the best of British.''

It is 32 years ago that QE2 first began criss-crossing the Atlantic carrying on the Cunard heritage founded on previous great liners such as Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Aquitania, Berengaria and the two former Mauretanias.

Throughout her long career the 70,327 ton ship has rarely been out of the headlines while royalty, national leaders, politicians, show business stars and famous sports personalities have been regularly among her passengers.

Next month QE2 will host a gala lunch, with former prime minister Margaret Thatcher as guest of honour, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the ship's role in the Falkland Islands war.

"From April 2004, QE2, the world's most famous ship, will be deployed permanently on Southampton-based cruises,'' said Ms Conover.

"She is still, and will continue to be, the fastest passenger liner in service which will mean we will be able to offer more ports of call in a typical two-week voyage than any of our competitors, as well as spending less time in the Bay of Biscay.''

QM2, the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most expensive passenger ship ever seen is being built in France and is due to arrive in Southampton, her home port, in December of next year. Codenamed "New Cunarder'', the vessel due to enter service in 2005, will be dedicated to the UK cruise market and also be based in Southampton. It is to be constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy.