A state of the art cruise ship will have its naming ceremony and launch in the county next year.

Over-50s holiday giant Saga, based in Folkestone, is putting the finishing touches to the firm's first new-build ship, which will be called Spirit of Discovery.

The Port of Dover will host the official naming ceremony in July once stages one and two of the £250 million redevelopment of Dover Western Docks has been completed.

The luxury boat will have room to carry 999 guests and a club inspired by musician Jools Holland, who lives in Cooling Castle near Rochester.

Its maiden voyage has already sold out.

Chief operating officer, Nigel Blanks, said: "We are really excited about her first cruise as it’s a great way to show-off our first new boutique cruise-ship to the British market as we call in to iconic ports such as Newcastle, Edinburgh, Belfast and Liverpool.

"With Saga’s Group headquarters based in Kent, we felt it only right that we name our first brand new, purpose-built cruise ship in Kent and what better way to do that than with the iconic White Cliffs of Dover as a backdrop."

Spirit of Discovery’s destinations throughout summer 2019 include Spain, Scandinavia and the Baltic, as well as a four-night mini-cruise to Holland, Germany and Belgium.

It comes as the firm announced a move to all-inclusive cruising as standard from 2020.

Port of Dover head of cruise, Sonia Limbrick, said: "It is a great honour, and we are thrilled that Dover Cruise has been chosen as the venue for the momentous naming ceremony of Saga’s new ship Spirit of Discovery."