Troubled ship Aurora returns home

The Aurora has undergone repairs in Germany

The troubled ship Aurora - forced to abandon a world cruise over propulsion problems - returned to its home port of Southampton on Wednesday.

The £200m P&O liner has undergone a 10-week repair programme in Bremerhaven, Germany, by German engineering company Lloydwerft.

Her two main propulsion motors have now been replaced and tested.

Their failure in January led to 1,752 passengers sailing around the Isle of Wight at the start of their cruise.

After more than 300 passengers decided to leave the vessel, the Aurora finally set sail on 19 January - 10 days after she was scheduled to depart - but had to return after travelling only 110 miles.

Passengers were offered refunds and discounts for future cruises.

Launched in 2000, the ship broke down in the Bay of Biscay on her maiden voyage and was forced to return to Southampton.

In 2003, 600 passengers and crew contracted the contagious Noro Virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

The Aurora was due to leave the city for a two-day trip to Belgium on Friday, before embarking on a 17-night Mediterranean cruise next week.