The Duke of Kent will lead Liverpool's QE2 celebrations

Thousands watched as the liner sailed into the River Mersey on Friday.

The Duke of Kent is leading the celebrations which coincide with the 40th birthday of the liner and will unveil a commemorative plaque later.

A concert marking the anniversary will take place at the Anglican Cathedral with soprano Lesley Garrett and tenor Nicky Spence.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line, said: "Cunard was founded in Liverpool in 1839 and the city was home to our head office for nearly 130 years so it's always nice to come back home."

The ship is scheduled to berth permanently at a pier at the Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai in 2009.

The plan is to turn the 963ft (294m) long, 105ft (32m) wide liner into a floating hotel.

Readers send their memories of the veteran liner.