Nexus is to run special Shields Ferry tours for people to view the QE2 on the Tyne

The half hour trips will give people the chance to get up close to the QE2 from the unique perspective of the river while she is berthed at the Northumbrian Quay in North Shields.

Nexus, who operate the Shields ferry service, will run the trips from 12 noon on Wednesday 8 October, with the last sailing at 10pm.

The newest Shields ferry, Spirit of the Tyne, will be used for the trips while the other ferry, Pride of the Tyne, will be used for the regular timetabled river crossings.

The trips will be departing every two hours from South Shields ferry landing and the landing at Royal Quays on North Tyneside. The trips from South Shields will get underway at 12 noon while the trips from Royal Quays start from 1pm.

Passengers do not need to pre-book a trip. Tickets, priced £5 adults and £2.50 for children, will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Shields Ferry Service Delivery Manager, Carol Timlin, said: "This is the last time the QE2 will be coming to the Tyne so we are keen to run the ferry trips so that as many people as possible can get up close the world's most famous cruise ship.

"When the QE2 came to the Tyne last year the trips proved really successful so we had no doubt about doing the same thing this year. Viewing her from the perspective of the river is a unique opportunity and you really appreciate the sheer size and scale of the ship when the ferry stops alongside her. It's a great photo opportunity."

The QE2 will return to the Port of Tyne on 8 October, after one more stop in Southampton, she will depart on her final ocean cruise before becoming a luxury floating hotel on the Palm Jumeirah development in Dubai, having been sold to the Dubai World company in June last year.

The ship is expected to arrive on the Tyne at 5am on 8 October. She will sail away at approximately 10pm that evening.

Here are the sailing times for Sunday's ferry QE2 trips: