THE North-East rolled out the red carpet for the QE2, as she began her first visit to the region last night.

A virtual carpet of flares and confetti swept across the River Tyne to welcome the liner, as she prepared to dock in Tyne Commission Quay.

Earlier, there were some anxious moments for organisers as blustery weather conditions held up the vessel's passage into the Tyne.

There was clear relief after a delay of little over an hour as she made her majestic way along the river.

Tens of thousands of people lined the riverbanks and coastline to welcome her and, while a flotilla of smaller boats led her in, a spectacular pyrotechnic display lit up the evening.

Hundreds of schoolchildren had practised for weeks to mark her arrival with a choreographed dance performance.

Flags were raised on Spanish Battery, Collingwood Hill and in front of Customs House, and the Royal Marine Band played before she berthed.

Earlier in the day, people in Filey, Scarborough, Whitby, Seaham, Sunderland and other coastal towns had flocked to the shores to wave her past on her journey from Southampton.

The Cunard Line vessel is visiting the region as part of her 40th anniversary celebrations, and will remain on Tyneside until this evening, setting sail for Edinburgh at about 6pm.

The QE2, which is due to be retired to become a floating hotel in the Middle East next year, has had a colourful career.

She has been subject to a ransome demand, requisitioned for use as a troop transport in the Falklands War, hit by a 95ft wave in a hurricane, and has logged more than five million miles at sea.

Built in Clydebank, Scotland, she can do 34 knots and was the last oil-fired passenger steam-ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean in scheduled liner service, before being converted to diesel engines in 1986.

She is renowned for her on-board luxury, with facilities including five restaurants, three swimming pools and a cinema.

The QE2 is expected to visit the region once more before she is retired, as part of a farewell tour in October next year.