FEARS that QE2 could turn her back on Southampton have sent shockwaves across her home port.

Today the Daily Echo has launched a Save Our Ship campaign to make sure the world's most famous liner stays in the city.

And so far the message from the people of Southampton is loud and clear: "QE2 must stay.''

Yesterday the Daily Echo exclusively revealed that luxury shipping line Cunard could be moving QE2 to a different home port.

American-based Cunard bosses are known to be troubled by what they consider to be the high costs of berthing the prestigious flagship of the British merchant marine in the city.

Cunard executives are so concerned they have ordered an in-depth examination of other UK cruise terminals as the shipping line negotiates with Associated British Ports, owners and operators of Southampton docks, for a new contract.

Cunard has stressed no decision has been taken over the future of QE2, but should the ship ever move from Southampton it would inflict a deep wound to the city's economy, its reputation as the country's premier cruise port and threaten local jobs.

Southampton's mayor and Admiral of the Port, councillor Derek Burke who works as a stevedore in the docks, stressed the importance of QE2 to the city.

"Southampton is the market leader as Europe's capital of ocean cruising and it is right that a ship of the importance, prestige and size of QE2 should sail from this port,'' said Mr Burke.

"QE2 is one of our premier liners, she is registered and based here and carries the name of Southampton around the world.

"She is an international example of Southampton at its finest.''

One the country's leading experts on maritime history, Peter Boyd-Smith from Southampton, said he was "horrified'' at the idea of QE2 leaving the port.

"If QE2 ever leaves it would have a critical effect on all parts of Southampton,'' he said.

"Everybody from taxi-drivers, suppliers of food and drink, the florists and companies that undertake all sorts of services for QE2, would be badly hit.

"I am horrified at the thought of Southampton without QE2, it would be an awful dent to the city's image.''

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead threw his weight behind keeping the liner in the city. "I am very keen to see Cunard keep QE2 in the city,'' he said.

"Southampton must start as favourite but really in the modern world commercial negotiations don't always take tradition into account and therefore it will to some extent be up to the standards that are offered."

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.