QE2 visits Tyne for the last time

The vessel will retire to Dubai where it will be a floating hotel

The most famous cruise liner in the world, the QE2, is due to arrive on Tyneside for the last time.

The Cunard vessel will berth at the Northumbrian Quay in North Shields on Wednesday morning, although it will not be open to the public.

There will be a farewell reception on board and a firework display will mark the liner's departure from the Tyne at about 2200 BST on Wednesday.

In November the QE2 will sail for Dubai where she will become a floating hotel.

Hosted royalty

The vessel was launched from John Brown shipyard in Clydebank in 1967.

During its time at sea, the 70,000-tonne ship has broken records, transported troops and hosted royalty.

It has travelled more than 5.6 million nautical miles, carried more than 2.5 million passengers and crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times.

It was bought by investment group Dubai World for $100m (£55m) to be converted into a hotel.