Fireworks greeted the symbolic smashing of a bottle against the side of the largest passenger ship ever to sail from Dover.

In an inauguration ceremony with a difference, musician and TV presenter Myleene Klass played I Am Sailing on a baby grand piano on the deck of the Carnival Splendor.

During the piece, she sent a unique radio signal to PO Christian Rumming, 39, who was waiting underwater.

PO Rumming then let out some compressed air from his diving tanks and climbed, in wet suit, safety harness and flippers, a 60ft marlin rope up the side of the ship to smash a bottle against the bow.

After the naming ceremony, Myleene was presented with a model of the ship in a bottle.

The people of Dover have their chance to join in the celebrations at 5pm when a carnival-style event is held on the promenade outside Churchills hotel.

The 113,000 tonne Carnival Splendor, which can carry up to 4,914 passengers, sails out of the port at 7pm for a three-day preview cruise to Amsterdam.

It returns to Dover on Sunday, departing the same day for its official inaugural 12-day cruise to the Baltic countries.