With its sea views and sumptuous living pensioner Beatrice Muller has the most prestigious address in Southampton as she is the only full-time resident on board the city's luxury liner, Queen Elizabeth 2.

Mrs Muller first stepped on board the 70,327 ton Cunard flagship in 1995 and she has been in love with QE2 ever since.

Now 82-year-old Mrs Muller constantly sails the globe spending her days playing bridge, ballroom dancing and writing to the friends she has made in the many countries visited by QE2.

"My late husband and I were just crazy about this ship. It was our second home and we planned to spend the whole of 2000 on her but I was widowed in 1999 before we could do that together,'' said Mrs Muller, who originally lived just outside New York.

"I adore this ship with a great passion. There are so many memories here that I decided to live on her and I have loved every minute of it.''

After doing her sums Mrs Muller has even worked out that, with the discount she receives for her repeat bookings, it is actually cheaper than living ashore.

"If I lived in one of those places for pensioners in America it would cost me more but here I get to see the world, I receive the most wonderful attention and care from the crew, the food is superb and there are always fascinating people on the ship.

"My family comes to see me when I am in New York or they join me sometimes for a cruise. I don't know what I would do now if I could not live on board.''

Mrs Muller's only concern is what to do when QE2 enters dry dock later in the year for a refit.

"I will not be allowed to stay on board then but I did tell them to give me a paint brush or a hammer so I could do some work,'' said Mrs Muller.