QE2 in final farewell to Belfast

The red arrows performed a fly-over as the QE2 arrived in Belfast

World-famous cruise liner, the QE2, sailed into the Port of Belfast on Saturday as part of its final tour.

The public were given a chance to view the vessel from across the river at the Paint Hall, Queen's Road.

Thousands of people turned out to view the ship, and admire the Red Arrows fly-over, during the few brief hours it stopped in the docks.

Belfast is one of the cities playing host to the QE2 during her year-long farewell tour.

The ship travelled from Liverpool and is bound for Dubai where she will become a floating hotel later this year.

QE2 STATISTICS Weight: 70,327 tons Length: 963 feet long Top speed: 32.5 knots Maiden voyage: 1969

The QE2 was the flagship of the Cunard Line for more than 30 years and is one of the largest and fastest passenger vessels afloat.

As well as carrying passengers as a luxury liner, the QE2 has been used to transport troops during the Falklands War and survived being run aground on rocks in 1992.

Lord Mayor Tom Hartley said: "It is a sign of the outstanding reputation that Belfast has garnered as a cruise and tourist destination that such a prestigious vessel has chosen to include the city on its itinerary."